On Friday, Aug. 9, council voted in favour of releasing information to the public affecting council work during the last several months.
The incidents under investigation began in the fall of 2023. Council said a number of turnovers – including several high-level managers leaving – and "workplace disruptions" caused concerns that the village was becoming an unhealthy or unsafe workplace. No formal complaints had been filed.
Council hired an independent, confidential workplace investigators, who spoke with staff and councillors. The assessment concluded that members of the village staff generally worked well as a team and in their jobs. However, tensions between council members created an environment that was "very frustrating, stressful dysfunctional and unhealthy." The main complaints revolved around a divide between the majority and minority of council and the conduct of some council members toward staff and their fellow village officials.
"Your Council would like to assure the public that workplace safety and culture is of paramount importance," village officials said in a statement issued on Friday (Aug. 9). "The health of our community requires that the Village establish a working environment that is respectful, safe, and centered on our values of respect, integrity, accountability, positivity, collaboration and communication."
Council received the results of this investigation on July 26. During this investigation, two formal complaints were filed against two unnamed members of council; some allegations could not be substantiated, but others were. The investigation concluded some members of council did breach the village's harassment policy, Workers' Compensation Act regulations, the village's Code of Conduct and their oath of office.
Council further suspected that a member of council breached confidentiality by referring to and disclosing information from a closed meeting in public and on social media.
Council decided on a number of steps to remedy their relationship with staff:
- Whenever possible, provide advance notice to staff with any questions.
- Provide clearer direction to staff.
- Build on previous attempts to maintain a healthy working relationship by putting aside negative personal feelings and prioritizing.
- Train council members on the village's harassment policy, Workers' Compensation Act regulations, the village's Code of Conduct and their oath of office.
- Refresh Code of Conduct training following the by-election in September.
- Reserve the right to pursue individual action against members of council, when needed, following the by-election.
To enhance confidentiality, council decided on the following steps:
- Review and establish protocol for closed meeting matters.
- Train council members on their duty of confidentiality following the by-election.
- Review and updated the council's Code of Conduct, particularly relating to confidentiality.
The village stated that due to confidentiality and provincial regulations, members of council are not able to discuss further details.
