The division within Nanaimo council is a “very, very unfortunate situation,” B.C.’s community minister said Thursday.
Even so, Peter Fassbender reiterated that he is not going to take action at this time.
“I’m not going to step into the middle of a situation that I think they need to deal with.”
His office has said that Nanaimo council collectively has to ask for help before the minister will step in.
Nanaimo’s nine-member council is in the midst of an internal dispute that becomes more divisive with each development.
The latest page was turned last week when a confidential letter written by Mayor Bill McKay was leaked and distributed to council. It contained critical and personal information about fellow members of council. McKay had written it to a conflict-resolution mediator in spring 2015.
Prior to that, information was sent to the RCMP requesting an investigation of some of McKay’s actions as mayor. In March, seven councillors called on the mayor to resign, criticizing his attendance record and treatment of the chief administrative officer.
Coun. Gord Fuller told McKay to “bite me” at an October meeting.
Fassbender, a former mayor of Langley, said Nanaimo council has to “come to grips” with what is happening. He spoke after addressing a Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce meeting.
“I had a council where we didn’t always agree, but we respected each other and got on with the job that we were elected to do. I hope that they can get to that place and that they can get over this, but that’s up to them to deal with.”
Fassbender said he has been cautious in this situation.
“Our staff has been willing to help them in terms of providing advice and support. I do hope they can resolve it.”
Asked about rethinking four-year terms for council members, he said: “They haven’t been in office long and they have these challenges, so I don’t think it is the length of time. It is a question of building relationships and collaboration and co-operation that you want to see them do. That’s true in any council in the province.”
