Report from the OH&S Canada magazine (June 2017)
The rural municipality of Ritchot, Manitoba has been thrown political disarray, following the resignation of its mayor and two councillors, who cited a hostile environment as the reason for their departure.
Mayor Jackie Hunt has resigned from her position on April 28, 2017, followed by two of Ritchot’s councillors, Jeannot Robert and Ronald Mamchuk on May 01, 2017. Hunt describes her decision to quit as “heartbreaking” in a statement released on May 02, 2017.
“When a council cannot function as a group, and when mediation does not work, and when name calling and belligerent behaviour becomes the norm, it is time to re-evaluate your spot at the table,” Hunt says. “There is currently no mechanism in the Municipality Act that allows for elected officials to be disciplined for behaviour that would not be tolerated in any other work environment. There is a Council Code of Conduct, but it allows only for censuring, which is ultimately a public slap on the wrist.
Hunt hopes her resignation will spur a dialogue between the provincial and municipal governments about how to protect people who want to serve their communities. “If I stayed and did nothing, then I became complicit and accepting of their behaviour,” she notes. “We are trying to encourage people to run for public office, and we need to ensure they are protected from bullying and inappropriate behaviour.”
Mitch Duval, the chief administrative officer with the municipality of Ritchot, confirms that he received three resignations. He has advised the provincial government of the situation and awaiting further information.
The bullying allegations reportedly involve Ritchot Ernie Dumaine, who was accused of belligerent behaviour towards his colleagues in December 2011, when he was charged with threatening the life of Louis Rouire, a public-works foreman with the Municipality. Dumaine was fined $200.00 and ordered to apologize to his accuser.
Jackie Hunt’s decision culminated a series of incidents involving Mr. Dumaine, both in public and at in-camera council meetings, including one where he reportedly flipped her the finger. Then, late last month at a public meeting in St. Adolphe, where a conditional-use permit for an outdoor skating rink was being debated, an angry Mr. Dumaine pounded his fist on the table and called the mayor “a f—–g bitch.”
My opinion
Wow, Jackie Hunt was correct! Bullying is alive and well in Manitoba. Maybe the Council Code of Conduct can be updated to reflect the terrible harassment by a belligerent individual.
Maybe charged can be laid for personal harassment or a lawsuit. Either way, why would anyone put up with this?
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I wanted to thank you for all the great information you are providing!
Yes, you make a good case.
World class!
This is a good report.
Thanks!