Chiarelli keeps low profile after integrity complaint
Veteran politician alleged to have asked inappropriate questions in job interview
City hall on Thursday was abuzz with news that city council’s longest-serving politician had had an integrity complaint filed against him because of alleged inappropriate questions to a prospective hire.
College Coun. Rick Chiarelli wasn’t at a meeting of the planning committee, of which he’s a member, after CBC Ottawa published an article quoting a woman who came forward with allegations that Chiarelli asked her during a job interview at a coffee shop in June if she would be comfortable with not wearing a bra to events.
The woman filed a complaint and a signed affidavit with the city’s integrity commissioner, according to the article.
Integrity commissioner Robert Marleau said Thursday he can’t confirm or deny the existence of a complaint, pointing to his “duty of confidentiality.”
Chiarelli was also not present at the city council meeting Wednesday. The city clerk confirmed that for the Thursday and Wednesday meetings, Chairelli sent his formal regrets for his absences under the procedure bylaw.
There was no reason given for his absences at both meetings.
Chiarelli didn’t respond to a message left on his cellphone Thursday morning asking for comment.
The Citizen also contacted Bruce Sevigny, whom the CBC identified as Chiarelli’s lawyer. He did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The CBC report, however, says Sevigny sent a letter to that agency referring to the allegations as “spurious” and saying that Chiarelli has “consistently conducted himself in accordance with the highest moral and ethical standards, and in full compliance with the City of Ottawa’s Code of Conduct and Violence and Harassment in the Workplace Policy, and with the Ontario Human Rights Code.”
CBC says the letter also alluded to “specific information” that the councillor had recently received that suggests “highly improper motivations and tactics in relation to the spurious allegations,” and says Chiarelli objected to being accused of misbehaviour by an unidentified person.
According to the letter, the CBC reported, Chiarelli had not been informed of a formal complaint made against him to the integrity commissioner.
The CBC article also quotes a different unnamed woman who alleged Chiarelli wanted female staffers to flirt with men and convince them to sign up as volunteers.
The CBC also reported speaking with a woman who currently works for Chiarelli who said the councillor is “a nice person,” and said she never witnessed any inappropriate behaviour.
This term of council could be a poignant moment for the municipal government as it focuses more on gender issues. For the first time in its history, council has a special liaison on women’s issues and gender equity and has appointed Bay Coun. Theresa Kavanagh to the post.
Just this week, Kavanagh updated council on the progress of the city’s women and genderequity strategy, which launched in March. She said the city has hired a specialist on women and gender equity to support a sponsors group of councillors and staff. Council members are being invited to gender and equity training this month, she said.
Asked about the allegations against Chiarelli on Thursday, she said “it’s always disturbing to hear these allegations against a colleague.”
Kavanagh said she has a lot of respect for Marleau, who’s a former clerk of the House of Commons.
“He’s just the right person to deal with this, and that’s what’s got to be done because I cannot make comments, I cannot judge, I have to see that this process is done appropriately,” Kavanagh said.
The Chiarelli allegations spread quickly through councillors row Thursday.
“It’s disappointing to hear allegations like that happening here at city hall, especially on the floor (of councillors’ offices),” Somerset Coun. Catherine McKenney said. “We have a very strict code of conduct for good reason and to hear this is very deeply concerning.”
Orléans Coun. Matthew Luloff is also concerned about the allegations against Chiarelli.
“Misconduct of this nature or of any kind is completely inappropriate and unacceptable in a modern workplace,” Luloff said. “Women need to feel safe, and if these allegations are true, it’s completely unacceptable.”
River Coun. Riley Brockington said it’s an opportunity for everyone at city hall to reflect on their conduct in and out of the workplace, and that he appreciates when people come forward with concerns.
On the general process of integrity complaints, Marleau said once he has received a complaint against a member of council, he gives the member 10 days to reply. After receiving the submission, the complainant gets 10 days to reply. When all the submissions are in, Marleau will decide if there’s enough information to warrant an investigation.
The city’s complaint protocol requires the integrity commissioner to report to the complainant and respondent within 90 days. Marleau said ideally he wants to have an investigation wrapped up within 120 days.
When Marleau finishes an investigation, he files a public report to council.
The integrity commissioner can recommend council apply a penalty of up to 90 days in suspended salary.
Women need to feel safe, and if these allegations are true, it’s completely unacceptable.