The discord on St. Albert city council once again rose to the surface, with one councillor this week asking another for an apology and a retraction of “false statements.”
Coun. Cam MacKay rose on a point of personal privilege July 11 to address Coun. Cathy Heron’s July 4 comments in council chambers and in a subsequent interview with the St. Albert Gazette. MacKay accused Heron of implying councillors were making the threats against city staff.
In arguing for the July 4 motion to request a governance inspection from Municipal Affairs, Heron referred to staff members being intimidated, wanting locks on their doors and calling in the RCMP to address their security.
She clarified later that she was referring to staff concerns about the public, rather than councillors or other staff.
Interim city manager Chris Jardine said he is not aware of specific incidents involving staff safety concerns. He did confirm that renovations to the building are underway to enhance staff safety. RCMP Cpl. Laurel Kading said she was not aware of any police investigations relating to security concerns of city staff.
Heron stood firm saying her comments had been misinterpreted. She reiterated she was referring to members of the public and not councillors. Heron cited unnamed sources within the city who she would not identify.
“In no way did I ever indicate council was the cause of the complaints,” she said. “If it was interpreted that way, I apologize.”
MacKay replied that the facts Heron stated about RCMP reports and threats against staff were false because neither the RCMP nor the city manager could confirm them. MacKay said he was concerned anyone critical of former city manager Patrick Draper is accused of threatening staff when they’re simply exercising a democratic right.
He argued Draper was in fact part of the problem, suggesting some high-level staff who left on his watch have now returned to the city.
Jardine confirmed a director-level staff member had returned since Draper left, but said he could not comment on their reasons for leaving or wanting to return.
MacKay also noted that Heron’s criticism of councillors being “not willing to let go” and for bringing forward motions on the “day-to-day operations of the city” were misguided.
“Regardless of the fact it is council’s job to bring forward motions related to the day-to-day operation of the city, the comment that members of council are not willing to let go is interesting,” he said. “In my opinion, what has to be let go are these false attacks.”
Heron offered no further response at the meeting. In an interview later she said she stands by her comments.
She reiterated she never said anyone on council was threatening staff, and maintains some staff have reported to her they have felt threatened by some members of the public. She added she would prefer not to have those kinds of discussions during meetings.
“Council chambers are for city business, not grandstanding,” Heron said. “I think it’s probably a perfect example of why we do need this ministerial inspection,” she said.
