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Former City of Nanaimo CAO Tracy Fleck (formerly Samra) was recently hired to a senior position overseeing the Trans Mountain pipeline project. (City of Nanaimo)
JOB CHANGE

Fired Nanaimo CAO returns in senior role overseeing Trans Mountain pipeline expansion

Jan 23, 2021 | 7:16 AM

NANAIMO — Controversial former City of Nanaimo CAO Tracy Samra has a new job, now with the federal government.

Samra, now going by her maiden name of Fleck, was recently hired by the Department of Natural Resources to oversee the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion.

Her new role, director general of Indigenous Partnership Office West, is designed to work closely with First Nations throughout the project and oversee committee activities.

Natural Resources Canada confirmed she started in her new position on Jan. 11. in Vancouver.

She’ll earn between $140,900 and $165,700 a year, according to an official job posting. It listed “significant experience in managing complex issues” and “significant experience nurturing relationships and delivering meaningful engagement” as an essential qualification.

Fleck unceremoniously left the City of Nanaimo in May 2018, during a tumultuous period for the local government.

She finished out her role on paid leave after a January 2018 arrest for allegedly uttering threats against several people at City Hall. The situation included former Nanaimo mayor Bill McKay, who said at the time threats were made against his life.

The special prosecutor assigned to the case elected not proceed with a peace bond since the matter was no longer in the public interest. The matter was continually delayed and Fleck had left Nanaimo in the 13-months since the peace bond application was submitted.

An investigation launched after the fact found financial misconduct on behalf of Fleck and deputy CAO Victor Mema.

NanaimoNewsNOW learned at the time Mema and Fleck approved each others corporate credit card statements despite containing multiple personal expenses.

Fleck also approved multiple raises and bonuses to Mema in 2017.

Both Fleck and Mema have launched BC Human Rights Tribunal cases against the City of Nanaimo.

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