Municipal: A judge critical of the work climate on Île-Bizard

Photo courtesy
Eric Dugas
Ex-municipal councillor

Matthew Payen

Friday, February 23, 2018 01:00

UPDATE
Friday, February 23, 2018 01:00

Look at this article

A decision of the Commission municipale du Québec (CMQ), giving gain due to the mayor of L’île-Bizard-Sainte-Geneviève against a former opponent edge in a climate of hard work in the montreal borough.

After his defeat in the last election, when he stood against the mayor Normand Marinacci, the ex-city councilman Eric Dugas suffered a second setback. The CMQ has the sanction of two reprimands for violation of privacy.

He is accused of having revealed publicly in 2014 a legal opinion of the City, so that it was subject to professional secrecy. The ex-advisor is also penalized for having revealed to a journalist in 2016 that two borough employees to stop work were treated for depressive disorders.

In his decision, the judge Sandra Bilodeau also points to the “tumults at the level of working conditions” to the borough, headed at the time by the party of Real change for Montreal.

The judge tells, in particular the ” arm of iron [that] is played between mayor Denis Coderre and his administration against the mayor of the borough and its executive director, Nancy Bergeron “.

Mrs. Bergeron had been dismissed in 2015 by the city-centre after complaints against her for bullying, threats, and blasphemy against white-collar employees. Mr. Marinacci had opposed it.

“A little flare “

“The mayor [Marinacci] stated in his testimony that all is well in the borough ; the Commission is not of that opinion,” says the judge Bilodeau.

It prefers to rely on the testimony “clear and convincing evidence” of the head of the department of planning, Stephane Bernaquez, who has noted the many departures and dismissals since the re-election of outgoing mayor last November.

“[Mr. Bernaquez] has lived a very difficult situation ; he has even chosen to leave the borough after 30 years of service, ” said the judge.

Interviewed by The Newspaper, Mr. Marinacci describes as” a little flare-ups ” the remarks of the judge.

“I don’t understand why she has a judgment on a folder of a working relationship,” he says.

He maintains that his testimony was based on the survey report on labour relations prepared by an expert.

For his part, Mr. Dugas recognizes its shortcomings, but says it would be the same way if the situation is represented. “It was my duty of the opponent to warn the population,” he says.

It will not appeal the decision.