COCHRANE - After filing a lawsuit against their previous employer, two former Matheson staffers have been hired by a nearby municipality.
The Town of Cochrane has contracted Probity Municipal Consulting (PMC) for two roles: Clerk services, and general manager of community services and deputy CAO. Former Matheson clerk-treasurer Cassandra Child and former CAO Chris Wray are taking on the roles.
At the Nov. 26 Cochrane council meeting the contract roles were approved, Elisabeth Dupuis was also named the deputy clerk.
Probity Municipal Consulting is owned by Wray, and Child and is a consultant for the business.
Child and Wray have filed a joint lawsuit against the Township of Black River-Matheson alleging harassment, violations of employment rights, and bad-faith conduct. They are seeking more than $1.8 million for lost wages, benefits and mental distress.
Child’s start date as the Cochrane clerk was Nov. 18, the same day the Matheson lawsuit was filed.
Both Child and Wray’s contracts are effective through the end of 2024, with an option for renewal.
SEE: Two ousted senior staffers suing Matheson for over $1.8M
RELATED: Former Cochrane staffer suing town for $1.1M, claims mayor 'forced' him to resign
“As our community sets down a path of growth and development, and as we work our way through a constructive restructuring and restoration of the municipal operation that will help us navigate our way through this exciting direction, we welcome every opportunity to add talent, skill, and experience to the team,” said Mayor Peter Politis in an email.
He said Wray has “decades of northern Ontario specific municipal executive level experience and political acumen, including president of the provincial CAO’s, Clerk’s and Treasurer’s Board (AMCTO).”
Child, he said, is “one of the most accomplished and skilled clerks in the region” and has also the AMCTO chair for the region, which covers from Hearst to Temagami.
“In both additions we help strengthen team Cochrane which only helps us deliver the best possible public service, while also being well positioned to break trail on new and exciting growth opportunities for our community,” Politis wrote.
Through PMC, Child and Wray will provide services to the Town of Cochrane in exchange for hourly rates.
Child's rate is $75 per hour for onsite and remote work, while Wray receives $95 per hour.
Additional costs such as mileage and cellphone charges are billed separately.
When Cochrane CAO Monika Malherbe is absent, Wray will replace her. His role also includes overseeing various community services, including infrastructure, water and wastewater, road services, IT and by-law services.
Wray was the Matheson CAO from 2021 to 2024, while Child was the clerk-treasurer from 2016 to 2024. Both were dismissed from their roles in October.
In September, Wray and Child were placed on administrative leave without explanation, which they claim was part of a plan to remove them.
SEE: Matheson CAO, clerk no longer with municipality
In the lawsuit, Wray and Child argue that the township’s actions have severely harmed their reputations, making it difficult to find new employment. Wray also claims his consulting business has lost a client due to the controversy.
- This story has been updated to include comments from Mayor Peter Politis.
