Trail code-of-conduct investigation remains secret

The City of Trail was entitled not to disclose an investigator’s report into code-of-conduct violations by mayor Colleen Jones, according to BC’s independent privacy body.

A third-party investigator found Jones violated the code three times prior to last fall’s municipal election, although the specific actions were not publicly revealed.

The findings resulted in Jones being censured by her council for behaviour “unbecoming of a member of city council” and actions that “showed a lack of consideration for an employee and … did not promote public confidence.”

At the time of the rebuke, the employee was not identified.

However, it has since emerged that the complainant was former corporate administrator Michelle McIsaac, who is now suing the city for breach of contract and constructive dismissal. The city has denied the allegations.

McIsaac said she was subjected to a “toxic and intolerable” work environment until she finally left in June, shortly after Jones was censured. Her statement of claim didn’t get into specifics but alleged bullying and harassment by Jones and “failure of Mayor Jones to abide by the decision that she was not to contact [McIsaac] directly.”

It also claimed Jones misrepresented whether she had apologized to McIsaac.

Immediately after the city issued its statement about Jones’ censure, Vista Radio filed a freedom of information request for a copy of the investigator’s report and its total cost.

The city revealed the report cost $89,628 and that it spent another $28,040 afterwards on legal fees associated with the censure and sanction process.

However, it declined to release the report itself, citing sections of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act around legal advice, policy advice, and disclosure harmful to personal privacy.

Vista Radio appealed the decision to the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner.

But last week, investigator James Gartshore issued an opinion that the city is authorized to withhold the entire report under the reasons it gave.

He reviewed previous orders from the office addressing similar workplace investigations and found they were protected by solicitor-client privilege.

“The information provided to me by the city [indicated] a lawyer gathered information during the investigation and used the information to provide legal advice to the city,” he wrote.

Continue Reading

cjat Now playing play

ckqr Now playing play

- Advertisement -

Related Articles

- Advertisement -

Latest News

Green Gables water reservoir flushing planned for Waneta

The City of Trail Water Treatment Plant crews will be flushing hydrants, as well as chlorinating the Green Gables Reservoir water system, starting Monday.

Blue Barn and KAAP team up for our furry friends

Kootenay Animal Assistance Program Society and Castlegar’s Blue Barn pet store are teaming up to raise funds and awareness on your pet’s care in an effort to control pet populations, as well as find new homes for some furry friends.

No timeline for rescue of three trapped workers at northwest B.C. mine

It’s unclear how long the rescue operation will take for three workers who have been trapped underground at a northwest B.C. mine since Tuesday morning.

Ground breaks on outdoor basketball court at Millennium Park and Ponds

After a year and a half of planning, ground has officially been broken on a new outdoor basketball court at Castlegar’s Millennium Park and Ponds. 

Trail recreation fees increasing in September

Recreation fees in Trail are set to increase by three per cent starting in September. 
- Advertisement -