City Responds to Civil Action
Thursday, July 12, 2012 @ 4:00 AM
Prince George, B.C. – While City Councillor Brian Skakun waits for the Court’s decision on his appeal of a summary conviction for violating the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act by releasing a confidential report, one of the principal players in that confidential report has filed a civil action against the City.
Sheri McLean-Smith, one of two women who alleged harassment at the Prince George RCMP detachment, filed her wrongful dismissal and conspiracy claim against the City of Prince George in April of this year. In her claim she alleges managers within the City “conspired” to end her employment with the City, that the conduct of the detachment’s Superintendent and two City Managers had made her so ill that by October 31st of 2007 she was “unable to continue working”. She alleges the offers made by the City for her return to work were “a sham, designed to force the Plaintiff to leave”.
The City filed it’s response to the claim in May of this year, the City notes it had responded to the Plaintiff’s complaints by hiring an independent investigator who delivered a report which “dismissed the allegations of harassment made by the Plaintiff and found that there was no breach of the City’s Code of Conduct.”
The City says the offers to return to work for the Plaintiff included an assurance she would not have to have any direct dealings with the RCMP Superintendent and that the City would try to move her into an alternate position within the City when one became available. The City’s response says “The Plaintiff continued to refuse to return to the position of Confidential Assistant and there were no other suitable positions for the Plaintiff at that time.” McLean –Smith never did return to work for the City.
The City flatly denies any conspiracy against McLean-Smith and claims the Plaintiff’s refusal to return to work “constituted an abandonment of her employment and/or resignation , which was accepted by the City.”
As yet, there has been no date set for the court to hear this matter.
Comments
I think that Ms. Mclean-Smith should let it go and move on with her life.
metalman.
If we all let it go and move on with our lives …… what would lawyers and judges do? ;-)
If you have never been in a position where you’ve been harassed on the job, it’s very difficult for you to understand the psycholical damage it does to you. I’m of the opinion this case should be explored further,it will be interesting to see what the trier of fact finds.
“The City filed itâs response to the claim in May of this year, the City notes it had responded to the Plaintiffâs complaints by hiring an independent investigator who delivered a report which âdismissed the allegations of harassment made by the Plaintiff and found that there was no breach of the Cityâs Code of Conduct.â”
It must be true then………
I’ll (we) will pay for all this. No problem. Money well spent. Those pot holes can wait. AND our $111 million dollar debt too. Carry on.
Agree with you totally slim2229. We have a situation which does not appear to be unique to this community when we deal with RCMP with such matters. It is a macho environemnt.
In the various communities that have civilians employed in such situations there is a complication of one workplace with two masters to boot. That is not exactly the best of circumstances.
As they say, where there is smoke, there is fire.
An independent investigator? Paid by whom? Follow the money. Besides, the RCMP investigates itself, so we know what that is all about.
The sad thing is that everyone can hide behind behind “it is in the courts so I cannot discuss it.” Very comforting.
Just a gentle reminder.
http://www.rcmpwatch.com/conflict-of-interest-snares-police-boss
Agreed, but it has been five years, let it go.
metalman.
Gus, the article states that the city hired an independent investigator and it’s a former employee of the city suing the city. it has nothing to do with the RCMP.
Whether it be legal action against the city or anyone, people have the right to see their case come to a final conclusion even if it takes 10 years.
If you are not happy with something someone has done to you and you simply “let it go”, that is exactly what the criminals rely on and exactly what allows them to move onto the next victim.
Everyone should stand up against any BS that others have slapped them in the face with and see things made right.
I went after a curber, (one who sells cars without a license)a few years ago for a car sale scam my daughter got caught up in here in PG. It took 5 years and ended with full recovery + a few extras. :-)
Or you can chose the easy way out and crawl under a rock to wait for the next lowlife to come along and victimize you, your family or friends.
There are a whole lot of people wandering around communities in high positions as managers and the like, that behind closed doors are not very nice people. They will do practically anything to anyone to get their way.
Those type need to be exposed.
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