Sean Chu's deputy mayor duties removed; Gondek says he photographed her licence plate
Calgary city council has removed Coun. Sean Chu from his deputy mayor duties and has forwarded a Calgary Police Commission report to the province to ask the premier whether her government can take further action to remove the Ward 4 representative.
The meeting comes as Mayor Jyoti Gondek learned she was to miss a December meeting, which would have meant Chu would be mayor and chair the meeting.
The meeting he was supposed to chair was going to be one in which a declaration of remembrance and action on violence against women was made.
She said that meeting may be inappropriate for Chu to attend, especially considering recent controversy involving the Ward 4 councillor.
Chu was accused of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl in 1997 when he was 34 years old and a serving member of the Calgary Police Service. Chu admitted to having sexual encounters with the underage girl.
Furthermore, Gondek said she was alerted about some strange behaviour by Chu. It’s alleged that Chu took photos of her personal vehicle licence plate in a secured area.
She called it a security issue and she's concerned for her safety.
“I am not comfortable liaising with Coun. Chu's office or entrusting him with the responsibilities of deputy mayor,” she said.
“I am well aware that my own experience pales in comparison to what others have had to go through. It should, however, demonstrate that working with this individual has jeopardized my safety and created fear of reprisal for speaking out.”
Gondek says she learned of this from a member of the public, and that she did not alert the city's integrity commissioner, but someone else did.
"I didn't want an apology, I want this man to not be able to do this job. I want him to resign," Gondek said.
CHU APOLOGIZES
Chu has agreed to step down as deputy mayor for December – Coun. Andre Chabot will step into the role instead.
In May, Coun. Courtney Walcott will do so.
Chu apologized to Gondek in council chambers.
“I want to publicly apologize to the mayor for what I have done. I don't want to bore the public with my reasoning, but I just want to let you know that I accept the punishment, which is I am not allowed to park in executive parking – I park in the public parkade,” he said.
Gondek did not accept.
“I appreciate you making the apology. I will not accept it, Coun. Chu. You have chosen to apologize only today, when I have made this public,” she said.
In chambers, Coun. Kourtney Penner also spoke on the matter.
“Safety in our city is paramount, and that includes around this horseshoe (council table),” she said.
“We have a responsibility, I believe, to look out for each other, and each other's safety.
“What I hear today astonishes me and disappoints me.”
REPORT SENT TO PROVINCE
Gondek has put forth a motion and council unanimously agreed to send the provincial government a copy of a report done by the Police Commission that admitted errors were made during a 1997 investigation into Chu.
No criminal charges were laid as a result of the investigation into the allegations, but he was convicted on one of two counts of discreditable conduct. The Law Enforcement Review Board issued a letter of reprimand to Chu.
The Calgary Police Commission has since stated that the internal investigation into the matter was improperly performed and errors were made.
Chu was re-elected as the representative for Ward 4 in 2021, and there were immediate calls for his resignation.
His fellow council members voted 9-6 in the weeks that followed in favour of removing a minimum requirement on how many councillors were on each committee. The move paved the way for the blocking of Chu from serving on boards, committees and commissions.
Gondek did not participate in the swearing-in ceremony for Chu.
-With files from Ryan White
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.