The council's decision, which Fratesi had strongly supported, caused controversy within the town and across Canada.
The resolution was widely seen as retaliation for Quebec Premier Robert Bourassa's move to override the Supreme Court of Canada ruling that declared parts of Bill 101 unconstitutional.
Many prominent politicians, such as Premiers David Peterson and Bob Rae, and Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, refused to meet with Fratesi on unrelated matters due to his stance.
[2] Fratesi was involved in a conflict of interest controversy in 1995 when he applied for and got the post of chief administrative officer while still sitting as mayor.
[4] After stepping down as mayor, he was briefly replaced by Michael Sanzosti before former MP Steve Butland was elected in a special 1996 byelection.