Cochrane mayor sanctioned by town council, despite protests of innocence

Town council in Cochrane voted this week that Mayor Peter Politis should go without pay for three months for harassing and bullying two staff members.

The sanctions were based on recommendations from the community’s integrity commissioner, but Politis disputes the findings and how the investigation was done.

Cochrane Mayor Peter Politis. March 14/23 (CTV Northern Ontario)

H.G. Elston ruled that Politis exceeded his authority as mayor and tried to micromanage business and events in the community, involving himself in the day-to-day operations.

In the process, he harassed the CAO and director of community services, pushing the CAO to take sick leave and the director to resign.

Defending himself Tuesday evening, Politis insisted he shouldn’t be reprimanded for trying to ensure that staff were carrying out council decisions.

“I apologize to anyone that took offence to my engagement with them, as this was not my intention,” he said.

Politis then spoke for more than an hour, trying to make the case that the integrity commissioner was out-of-bounds in his investigation.

Coun. Sylvie Charron-Lemieux said Peter Politis is one of few people she finds intimidating. (Photo from video)

“I’ll expand on this even further later in the report,” he said.

He cited Ontario ombudsman documents that said integrity commissioners should not do the job of workplace harassment investigators. Politis also said that Elston then did not interview his suggested witnesses.

He sought a second opinion from another integrity commissioner, who deemed the investigation faulty. He quoted part of the report:

“Mr. Elston’s inquiries were procedurally unfair, and his reports and recommendations are deeply flawed. Council should decline to receive the reports and should reject the recommendations.”

“I don’t support the allegations against me and take some comfort at least in the credible validation of this belief,” Politis said.

Opportunity to grow

“At the same time, I see this as an opportunity to become a better version of myself and continue to learn and grow.”

While Politis denied it, other councillors said they noticed a pattern of harassment and intimidation by Politis, even if he wasn’t conscious of it.

“There’s very few people who can intimidate me or can make me feel harassed, but this man does,” said Coun. Sylvie Charron-Lemieux.

Some councillors said Politis takes not accepting ‘no’ to extremes and uses his presence to intimidate.

“Councillors are probably reflecting on how we treat staff and how we operate and I’m hoping that there will be an improvement, moving forward,” Charron-Lemieux said.

“If I see it, I will bring it up. For me, that’s what will change.”

One councillor voiced support for the mayor. Coun. Marck Recoskie said it could be that woman are more sensitive than men.

“He comes across strong, but sometimes you have to embrace that,” said Recoskie.

“I understand that the sensitivity of a woman is different than a man … He knows, everybody knows, now, that he’s going to be watched.”

Some took issue with that and the mayor’s lengthy defence.

“You are a sick man!” a man in the gallery shouted.

“(Coun. Rodney) Hoogenhoud, you’re done in this town! Recoskie, go home!”

The second opinion asserted that the integrity commissioner’s report was unfair and outside his jurisdiction, that Politis’ penalty was unfair and that overseeing operations does not constitute harassment.

Politis said he intends to get back to work.

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