Qualicum Beach is working to enact a consultant’s suggestions following an investigation into a council member’s allegations of harassment but those recommendations are not being made public.
“Bullying and discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated in our municipal government,” Mayor Brian Wiese said in a statement released Friday.
“To prevent such situations from occurring again, and to improve communication between all members of Council so we can better serve the public, we are working with staff to implement the recommendations from Innova Strategy Group.”
The Times Colonist requested a list of recommendations, receiving an email from the town saying: “There is no additional information to provide beyond what is in council’s public statement.”
Coun. Robert Filmer announced in mid-December that he was taking a two-month medical leave from city hall, calling its atmosphere toxic.
The town hired Innova to look into nine complaints from Filmer of discrimination based on age and sexual orientation. Filmer is gay and was 20 when elected in 2018.
The report found no evidence of discrimination, bullying or harassment against Filmer.
It did say that communication was strained and misunderstandings between council members were prevalent in the previous two years.
Wiese defends the report, but Filmer took issue with it, saying he did not agree with some other councillors’ recollections.
Qualicum Beach residents are waiting to find out if Filmer will return to council in the coming week.
He said he would resume his council duties once the issues were resolved.
Filmer and Wiese did not return requests for comments.
Wiese said council has a responsibility to residents to work together in their best interests.
“We value Coun. Filmer’s voice as a member of council and welcome him to resume his duties as an elected leader.”
