Chestermere mayor calls inspection report 'distortion of facts'
The findings of a provincial probe into the City of Chestermere's governance are being described as "fictional" by Mayor Jeff Colvin.
Colvin posted a 27-minute video online on Saturday.
"The report that we had was a complete distortion of the facts. Minister (Rebecca) Schulz was dropped into this mess that was created by the previous minister, minister (Ric) McIver."
Colvin blasted the 215-page report, saying throughout the inspection, he was never provided with evidence of the accusations levelled against him and other members of council.
The report, drafted by third-party inspector George Cuff, found 17 legislative violations – something Colvin believes was created by "hearsay."
"They weren't willing to share information with us. They weren't willing to share any evidence with us," Colvin said.
"So, a lot of this information that you're seeing for the first time, we're seeing for the first time, and we never knew what was on the other side."
But the report was first presented to the mayor and council behind closed doors last fall, with the city being given an opportunity to respond. It did not, and sent the report back to the province.
Colvin claimed there was bias in the report.
According to the province, the City of Chestermere is being managed improperly, irregularly and improvidently, and as a result of the report, 12 directives were set out for council and administration to follow.
"When you break down each one of those directives, it really shows that there was nothing to the inspection," Colvin said.
"That's what we've been saying from the beginning. These directives, for the most part, we've already been doing. Most of his (Cuff's) report was really hearsay."
Lori Williams, associate professor of policy studies at Mount Royal University, says Colvin appears to be absolving all forms of responsibility by saying there are no problems within the city.
"There certainly seems to be a reluctance to acknowledge any problems that exist at this point, or acknowledge responsibility for contributing to the problems that exist up until this point," Williams said.
"If, however, this is just sort of a face-saving move, saying we're just going to continue as before, when in fact there is a change in direction that the things are conducted in a different way going forward, I suppose there's a chance that this is more rhetoric."
Williams suggests a report of this magnitude shows troubling problems for residents, who entrust their leaders to solve issues that arise.
"There is a sort of a tone that somehow or another, the people that were involved in the investigation were biased," Williams said.
"Sort of snide remarks made about the previous municipal affairs minister, and this is not conducive to finding a solution to the problems that had been raised here."
Council remains under an official administrator until at least the end of the year.
In part, Schulz's directives require the City of Chestermere to:
- Hire an auditing firm to submit outstanding financial statements for the previous two years;
- Review its procedural bylaws and provide an action plan; and
- Submit to the province all code-of-conduct complaints and discontinue exercising power struggles on council.
Colvin says the city is working to secure an auditing firm to conduct financial audits of the city's expenses for 2021 and 2022.
This comes after KPMG pulled the plug on a 2021 audit, with the city claiming it had been completed and the firm saying it was not signed off on.
CTV News contacted Colvin for further comment but has not received a response.
Monday afternoon, Schulz's office released the following statement:
"We are aware of the video about the Chestermere municipal inspection that has been posted on the City of Chestermere's Facebook page. As the minister noted during the March 15 public information session, the inspection report was conducted fairly and appropriately, and according to all legislative requirements," said Alex Puddifant, chief of staff.
"The 12 directives from the minister are based on and supported by the findings of the inspection report. They have clear deliverables and timelines with which Chestermere council and administration must comply. The inspection report and supporting materials, including a recording of the March 15 information session, are posted on alberta.ca/chestermere."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Boeing's financial woes continue, while families of crash victims urge U.S. to prosecute the company
Boeing said Wednesday that it lost US$355 million on falling revenue in the first quarter, another sign of the crisis gripping the aircraft manufacturer as it faces increasing scrutiny over the safety of its planes and accusations of shoddy work from a growing number of whistleblowers.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Fair in Ontario, flurries in Labrador: Weather systems make for an erratic spring
It's no secret that spring can be a tumultuous time for Canadian weather, and as an unseasonably mild El Nino winter gives way to summer, there's bound to be a few swings in temperature that seem out of the ordinary. From Ontario to the Atlantic, though, this week is about to feel a little erratic.