NNN’s last 10: Constant infighting marked forgettable era of Nanaimo politics

The intended confidential material was part of a third-party facilitation process into discord among city councillors, as well as to address bullying allegations against former city manager Ted Swabey

When the contents of the email were made public, pressure was heightened on embattled McKay to resign, which he refused to do.

The controversial hiring of Tracy Samra as chief administrative officer (city manager) in March 2016 following a six-month tenure as interim CAO signalled the beginning of a rocky period in local politics and workplace morale.

Samra’s turbulent tenure was marred by countless controversies.

A damning report by consulting firm KPMG was highly critical of spending protocols, hiring practices and a lack of whistleblower protection.

A “poor tone at the top” was referenced in the 2017 probe, revealed the following spring.

Employees who reported concerns of the misuse of city funds were disciplined, while the review also heard the city acknowledged senior managers bypassed hiring procedures.

The report recommended the review of respectful workplace and serious misconduct policies, and include a mechanism allowing allegations involving the CAO to be directly reported to the mayor and members of council.

Samra herself alleged she was assaulted by former councillor Wendy Pratt during a February 2017 closed council meeting.

A short video clip posted to YouTube by the user ‘Baily M’ appeared to show Pratt attempting to slap a phone Samra was carrying as she appeared to be filming a portion of the meeting.

Pratt eventually resigned from council, triggering a July 2017 by-election in which current councillor Sheryl Armstrong won in a landslide.

Citing verbal and physical violence against the Indigenous Samra, Snuneymuxw First Nation temporarily removed its flag from Nanaimo City Hall in September 2017.

While controversies among members of council and senior staff were evident, including clear signs of disdain during public meetings, a watershed moment occurred in December 2017.

More than 500 unionized City of Nanaimo employees boycotted the City’s annual Christmas lunch, citing a toxic work environment causing morale to be at an all-time low.

Several weeks later, Samra was arrested for allegedly threatening city hall against then mayor Bill McKay and councillor Diane Brennan, a case which was not pursued criminally.

Samra, who now uses her maiden name Fleck, was fired as CAO in late May 2018 during an in-camera council meeting.

Earlier in the month, controversial former chief financial officer Victor Mema was also let go after he was suspended for making repeated and extended personal charges on a city-issued credit card.

Samra later reached a settlement with the city for a wrongful dismissal action she filed, while Mema is owed $640,000 from local taxpayers after the BC Human Rights Tribunal ruled discrimination factored into his firing.

Fed up voters elected a predominantly new council and mayor in the fall of 2018, putting more attention on local priorities as opposed to personal conflicts.

Earlier this year, the B.C. government introduced code of conduct legislation for local governments and pledged to provide a clear process for complaints, investigations, and sanctions for all municipalities and regional districts in B.C.

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by Ian Holmes

NNN’s last 10: Constant infighting marked forgettable era of Nanaimo politics

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