Cochrane Mayor Peter Politis and Coun. Sylvie Charron-Lemieux can agree on one thing: there’s no place for harassment in the workplace.
The two were on different ends of the debate at a heated and lengthy Cochrane council meeting last night (Jan. 30) to determine what penalties Politis should face after two investigations into workplace harassment by the town’s integrity commissioner, Harold G. Elston.
At the meeting, Charron-Lemieux alleged that she has also been a victim of harassment by Politis.
Politis denies all of the allegations.
Council voted to suspend his pay for 90 days — 45 days for each of the investigations. It was the recommendation suggested by Elston.
Elston participated in the meeting virtually and talked about his investigations in which he ultimately found Politis bullied, harassed and intimidated two senior town managers — CAO Monika Malherbe and then-director of community services Jason Boyer.
SEE: Cochrane mayor bullied, harassed senior managers: Integrity commissioner
Charron-Lemieux told TimminsToday that she’s received an overwhelming amount of support for speaking out at the meeting.
“I can't possibly respond to everyone … The gender divide is what seems to be the biggest thing coming through right now and that's very unfortunate. We never intended to make it a gender issue because there was a man and a woman who filed complaints here and I respect both of them enormously,” she said.
“And I tip my hat to the gentleman in question because it seems to take a lot more courage for a man in a situation like this to come forward in this type of scenario, but it took a lot of courage from both of them. I think it may have encouraged some people who didn't have the courage they needed to come forward in the past … A lot of people are afraid.”
Politis said that Elston’s report could impact his integrity, character and career opportunities and denied the allegations being made.
He told TimminsToday he believes the "best of municipal politics and the worst” are being seen.
“On one hand we saw some councillors play politics and pounce on the vulnerability of the moment to advance their own political interests and we saw some others rise to the occasion and demonstrate the courage to do the right thing,” he said.
In response to Charron-Lemieux’s comments that she had been victimized by Politis, he said “her comments are hers to take ownership for.”
“I don't support them and I think most councillors wouldn't support them seeing how most of what she was saying last night was turned down,” he said.
More than 325 people tuned into the meeting online. There were also members of the public watching in the public gallery in council chambers and outside town hall.
Politis said residents who protested don’t represent the community at large.
“But the point is, they're still important, and when you're elected in a position as a municipal councillor or a municipal mayor, you don't just represent the people who elect you, you represent everybody,” he said.
“So, I'm deeply concerned about the folks and their comments and I understand the frustration that comes along with that. I just asked everybody to take a look at all the evidence and the facts. And regardless of that, we're always going to look for ways to become better versions of ourselves and continue to learning and grow.”
Charron-Lemieux said the meeting went as she expected.
“I had hoped that the high road could have been taken, but I'm not surprised. I did not plan to expose a vulnerable side of myself. I'm a strong person. But I felt at that point that I had to just to get the point across,” she said.
“I'd like to think that things will improve but I'm not convinced that it will. My main concern at this point is ensuring a safe workplace for all staff. I think the message needs to be that there's no room for harassment, bullying, or intimidation in any workplace.”
Politis was elected as mayor in October 2022. He previously served as mayor from 2014-18. In 2023 his base salary was $24,400.
Last year, Malherbe and Boyer filed separate complaints, 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.
RELATED: Cochrane mayor bullied, harassed senior managers: Integrity commissioner
The integrity commissioner’s reports highlight examples of incidents and email exchanges between Boyer and Politis, as well as Malherbe and Politis.
In both of the investigations, Elston found that the mayor tried to micromanage town business and events.
In her complaint to the integrity commissioner, Malherbe said the unwanted behaviour towards her by the mayor started early in the council term and peaked at the end of June 2023.
Malherbe talked to human resources and explained what happened and has been on leave since.
Similar to Malherbe, Boyer said the issues started shortly after the term started. Elston said that Boyer alleged the mayor psychologically harassed him for eight months.
In particular, he alleges “that many of the Mayor’s emails to him have been deliberately intimidating, harassing, manipulative, authoritative, and in violation of town policy,” Elston wrote in his report.
Coun. Rodney Hoogendoud chaired the meeting, though Politis sat in the mayor's seat throughout leaving only when it was time for the council members to discuss the pay suspension.
Throughout the meeting, the chair threatened to vacate residents from council chambers several times due to members of the public speaking out against the mayor.
During the deliberation to determine what repercussions Politis would face, there was a gender divide between council members.
Charron-Lemieux, Bouvier, and Coun. Susan Nelson wanted additional penalties including restricting Politis from dealing with staff directly during the suspension until there was further workplace harassment training to make sure everyone understood their rights.
Hoogenhoud, Coun. Marck Recoskie and Coun. Daniel Brunet were not in favour of the additional measures.
The councillors who voted in favour of 90-day pay suspension are Charron-Lemieux, Nelson, Bouvier and Brunet.
The one thing everyone agreed on is that there should be a zero tolerance of harassment or bullying in the workplace.
Read Malherbe’s full report here. Boyer’s report is available here.
