National Post (National Edition)
It’s about the workplace
Re: Judging Judy; rural councillor decries sanctions, July 13
The recent interview with Coun. Judy Farrell contained statements that do not reflect the position of Tay Valley Township. While Coun. Farrell is an elected member of Tay Valley Township Council, her comments were not authorized by the township and reflect only her personal views, not those of council or the township.
It is important to understand that council retained an independent third-party investigator after receiving complaints pursuant to the township’s councillor code of conduct and the township’s Respect in the Workplace program.
Council acted only after receiving the independent thirdparty investigator’s report. In that report, Coun. Farrell was found to have harassed certain members of township staff.
On this basis, council requested that Coun. Farrell apologize and attend training to ensure that future harassment was avoided and to maintain a harassment-free workplace, which the township, as the employer, has a legal obligation to do. It was only after Coun. Farrell refused to accept the direction of council that council adopted the additional measures with which Coun. Farrell now disagrees.
All decisions and actions taken in this matter have been approved by council on the basis of receiving independent legal advice since the first complaint was received. Municipal decisions are made on the basis of a majority vote of council.
The township also disagrees that Coun. Farrell’s ability to undertake her role as a councillor has been negatively affected. Coun. Farrell still has the ability to deal directly with the chief administrative officer and her ability to participate in council meetings is not affected. She has been free to vote, and in fact has voted, on all matters of council business, except for situations in which she had a conflict of interest.
This is not about stripping Coun. Farrell of her obligations and responsibilities as a councillor; it is about ensuring that the workplace is free of harassment for township employees.