Whitchurch-Stouffville mayor docked six months' pay, barred from talking to staff

Councillors voted Tuesday night to impose penalties against Mayor Justin Altmann after ethics investigations found that he shared confidential information during an interview and that he refused to apologize for a "CSI-style" photo wall in his office washroom.

Thestar.com
March 7, 2018
By Noor Javed

The mayor of Whitchurch-Stouffville can no longer talk to his staff except by email, can no longer go to his office during working hours except to collect mail, and will be docked six months' pay after his fellow councillors endorsed sanctions in two separate ethics complaints against him.

In a heated meeting that ended late Tuesday night, the town council voted 5-1 to endorse most of the integrity commissioner's recommendations from an investigation that found Mayor Justin Altmann shared confidential information during an interview, and another probe that confirmed he failed to apologize for a bizarre wall of photos of staff he put in his office washroom.

"We the council consider the protection of staff and public to be paramount," said Councillor Maurice Smith, after emerging from the portion of the meeting that was held in camera. "Council is disappointed that the mayor failed to take responsibility for his actions."

The mayor's monthly pay is roughly $5,075 (the equivalent of a month of town pay and a month of car allowance). He will lose approximately $30,000 in total.

Altmann and his wife listened in as his colleagues voted, and hugged supporters once the meeting was over.

"I expected this is what they would do. And once again, natural justice and procedural fairness wasn't there. I couldn't defend myself," Altmann said after the meeting.

Prior to going in camera, councillors appeared divided in terms of what penalties to impose on the mayor.

Councillor Rick Upton said: "We have staff who have responsibilities, have mortgages and families. They have the right, and we have an obligation ethically, morally and legally, to ensure staff a hassle-free work environment."

Councillor Rob Hargrave, who voted against both motions, felt a monetary penalty was not a corrective measure and was only punitive.

Last week, integrity commissioner Suzanne Craig released her findings from two separate code of conduct complaints.

The first investigation dealt with the mayor's disclosure of in camera information during a radio interview. The second complaint dealt with Altmann's refusal over a 90-day period to apologize to staff for the wall of pictures, despite the wishes of council.

Craig put forward remedial actions in her reports for council to consider, including barring the mayor from town offices, barring him from talking to municipal staff and docking him up to six months' pay - 90 days per complaint, the maximum penalty allowed under the Municipal Act.

"This is not a suggestion that the mayor not carry out his function, or say hello ... these recommendations are made to address concerns that your staff have brought forward to me," she said at the meeting.

Last year, Craig investigated a bizarre "CSI-style" photo wall in Altmann's office washroom that included pictures of staff, former politicians and members of the public, linked together with black lines and graphics.

Craig's report last September found that the wall was "vexatious and disturbing," and akin to "workplace harassment."

At the time, council docked Altmann one month's pay and asked that he apologize to staff. But the mayor adamantly refused to do, citing errors in Craig's report.

The mayor reiterated this position on Tuesday and asked for a delay in proceedings so he could get his lawyer to respond. He asked if his wife could speak on his behalf, but his request was denied.

"It is time now the truth come out. My council will be my judges," the mayor said before declaring a conflict of interest and leaving the council meeting Tuesday.

Craig had strong words for council in her last deputation on Tuesday (she submitted her resignation to the town of Whitchurch-Stouffville last month), citing the impact Altmann's refusal to apologize has had on staff and the reputation of the town.

"The town council edict in which it requested that the mayor apologize to the complainant, who was a victim of workplace harassment, was to repair the damaged relationship between the mayor, staff and the town. However, the mayor's conduct in response to this imposed corrective action has instead further damaged the town," Craig said.

"I have no doubt that there are many here, including the mayor, who believe there is no need to apologize. I ask you then, why do we have rules?"

On Tuesday, Craig also talked about how staff who spoke up about the wall have suffered over the past few months.

"Some who have come forward have experienced subtle reprisals that prevent them from being fully productive in the workplace," she said. "Some say it continues even today."

"The manner, the tone, the defiance against the will of council (by not apologizing) is open contempt for this council, the code of conduct and the rules of this town," she said.

Craig also took exception to the way the mayor has dealt with the findings from her initial investigation and how his behaviour has affected staff.

"Staff has approached me to discuss how the mayor's refusal to apologize and the manner in which he refused had affected them," Craig wrote in her report. "Staff have viewed the mayor's behaviour and the manner in which he refused to apologize, which has been widely publicized in the media through his various radio interviews, as an indication that 'nothing has changed,' and they have therefore decided to put up with a toxic work environment while actively job-searching, and have resolved to leave once they have found new jobs.

"Individuals have stated to me that they 'were looking for a sincere apology …' and 'sincerity on his part.'"

In her closing words to council, Craig said: "There are those who have no voice. You all have a voice."

"Who represents the voice of those who have been silenced?"