COCHRANE - In the wake of reports finding that the mayor harassed senior staff members, Cochrane's integrity commissioner has resigned.
Harold G. Elston's resignation was talked about in-camera (not open to the public or media) at Cochrane council's Feb. 13 meeting. The town is now looking for an interim integrity commissioner.
Ontario municipalities are required to have an integrity commissioner, whose role is to make sure that council and local board members are sticking to the rules, and provide advice or education on those rules.
On Jan. 30, Elston presented reports to council in which he found Mayor Peter Politis bullied, harassed and intimidated CAO Monika Malherbe and then-director of community services Jason Boyer. In both of the investigations, Elston also found that the mayor tried to micromanage town business and events. Politis denies all of the allegations.
Last year, Malherbe and Boyer filed separate complaints with the integrity commissioner, alleging they were subject to workplace harassment, bullying and intimidation by Politis.
On July 19, 2023, Boyer went on a leave of absence and later resigned on Dec. 15. Malherbe has been on medical leave since June 28, 2023.
During last night's in-camera meeting, one of the topics was a CAO transition.
SEE: Cochrane mayor's pay suspended for 90 days
As a result of Elston’s findings, Politis's pay has been suspended for 90 days — 45 days for each investigation. That suspension started last Friday (Feb. 9). During the suspension, Politis can fulfill all of his mayoral duties.
At the January meeting when the reports were presented, Politis gave a lengthy rebuttal to the report and said he had consulted another integrity commissioner who provided findings that contrasted Elston's.
SEE: Cochrane mayor's 90-day pay suspension to start Friday
Elston is currently the integrity commissioner for both Kirkland Lake and Temiskaming Shores.
