A report into the conduct of former Nipawin mayor Rennie Harper has been leaked on social media. (file photo/northeastNOW)

By Susan McNeil

Nipawin mayor investigated

Leaked report finds breach by former mayor, inaction by council

Sep 22, 2023 | 5:00 PM

A heavily redacted copy of the investigation into the conduct of former Nipawin mayor Rennie Harper shows that she violated the municipality’s Code of Ethics bylaw.

The report was leaked to social media after it was obtained by an access to information request.

The investigator found that Harper breached the code when it came to respect, transparency and accountability, and leadership and the public interest.

“There is a history of behaviour from the Mayor that has contravened the Code of Ethics Bylaw. This is corroborated by witness statements from council and administration,” reads the report.

Not only that, “the investigation has also shown a history of previous complaints regarding the Mayor.” A complaint made on May 23, 2023, was what triggered the investigation.

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She also breached when it came to objectivity and confidentiality but there was not enough evidence to prove an allegation of a breach of the code for honesty and responsibility.

Because of the redactions, many of the answers to questions posed to witnesses, including the rest of council remain unknown.

For instance, question six to council reads: “There have been allegations of improper conduct by the Mayor (including alleged harassment and bullying in her dealings with residents and community groups). Are you aware of any such instances? If so, have any of these individuals and groups reached out to you individually with such allegations? If so, what is the nature of those conversations?”

Four responses are completely blacked out along with a sub-paragraph of the fourth response.

The same happened with questions regarding how the actions impacted on the council’s ability to govern.

The investigator also found that council as a whole could have done more to resolve issues earlier.

“It is important to know that the mayor’s behaviour was somewhat enabled through the lack of action of Council,” said the report.

“Council and administration should have responded to previous complaints about the mayor with a formal investigation. Council members should hold each other to account, call out inappropriate behaviour and set the standard for all of council. By overlooking or denying past behaviours from the mayor, they compounded the issue over time.

Two sources closely involved with the Town have confirmed the document’s authenticity to northeastNOW.

Harper did not participate in the investigation.

Because the mayor resigned earlier in the meeting that the report was given to council, the decision was made to not release it.

Bloom CME, the Alberta-based consulting company that prepared the report and conducted the investigation, was hired in May of this year.

Harper resigned in July. A by-election will happen in October and three candidates have submitted their names. None of the candidates have been on council in the past but one is former fire chief Brian Starkell.

Candidate profiles are here:

Brian Starkell

Marlon Zacharias

Laura Nycholat

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com