Dear editor:
Re: West Van mayor investigated for workplace bullying
During the April 4 West Vancouver council meeting, Sharon Thompson spoke against adopting a code of conduct maintaining that “the mayor, the chair, has the right and all the power to manage the code of conduct of council.”
After reading the June 28 North Shore News article regarding an investigation into Mayor Sager’s alleged staff bullying and harassment, I would ask, without a code of conduct, who manages the mayor’s behaviour?
I have attended many council meetings during Mr. Sager’s brief reign and was not surprised at this latest investigation for a number of reasons. Mr. Sager was elected already having been found guilty of professional misconduct by the Law Society of B.C. with a similar Law Society investigation pending.
One of his first steps as mayor was cancelling the brief (17-second) oral Indigenous land acknowledgement at the beginning of council meetings without consulting First Nations. This lack of consultation is also reflected in last-minute changes to agendas and abrupt closure of council meetings. Council, staff and the public are then unprepared to speak or denied the chance.
During council meetings he also uses his “power” as mayor to frequently interrupt councillors and speakers during their presentations. I have often left council meetings frustrated by disrespect and a lack of process. I can only guess at the stress and frustration of staff working with this on a day-to-day process, particularly those who were brave enough to start the investigative process for bullying and harassment.
I do not know whether the departure of the chief administrative officer, the deputy CAO and director of legislative services’ leave of absence are related to Mayor Sager’s possible bullying and harassment.
I do hope the law society’s determination of misconduct allegations and the bullying and harassment investigation are completed quickly before West Vancouver loses more professional, hard-working and valued staff. Either that or perhaps West Van council will join the rest of the world and adopt a code of conduct that may prevent issues like these.
Terre Swan
West Vancouver
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