Contact: Mayor Dave Barrow, 905-771-2493, dave.barrow@richmondhill.ca

RICHMOND HILL – Last fall, a Richmond Hill employee filed a harassment complaint under the Town’s Respect in the Workplace Policy against Ward 1 Councillor Greg Beros.

Richmond Hill’s Respect in the Workplace Policy states that “…employees and Members of Council are entitled to work in an environment that is free of any form of harassment, abusive conduct, discrimination or workplace violence.” The Policy applies to all employees and Members of Council.

The Town of Richmond Hill retained an external investigator who conducted an investigation into the complaint. The investigator concluded that Councillor Beros violated the Respect in the Workplace Policy and her findings were presented to Council.

At the meeting, Mayor Barrow said, “As members of Council, we are all bound by the Human Rights Code, Occupational Health and Safety Act, Respect in the Workplace Policy and the Council Code of Conduct. As elected officials, it is our responsibility to be role models – not only for the citizens we represent, but also for Richmond Hill staff who have the right to a safe and respectful workplace. Our conduct must reflect this. Anything less is not acceptable.”

This represents the Town of Richmond Hill’s statement on the matter. The public portion of the meeting can be viewed online at RichmondHill.ca/Meetings. The motion Council approved is below.

EXTRACT FROM SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING
C#34-15 HELD JULY 21, 2015
CONFIRMATORY BY-LAW NO. 94-15

 Adoption of Recommendations Arising from Closed Session

Moved by: Councillor West
Seconded by: Councillor Cilevitz

Whereas Council received and reviewed an investigation report dated April 13, 2015, regarding an external investigation conducted into a complaint filed against Councillor Greg Beros under the Town’s Respect in the Workplace Policy, in which the investigator made findings that it was more likely than not that Councillor Beros engaged in conduct amounting to sexual harassment and abusive conduct contrary to the Respect in the Workplace Policy;

And whereas Council received submissions from Councillor Beros and his legal counsel;

Be it resolved:

1. That Councillor Beros’ request to reopen the external investigation will be determined by Council, not the Chief Administrative Officer;

2. That Councillor Beros was provided with a reasonable opportunity during the investigation to provide a response to the complaint, and therefore the external investigation will not be re-opened to permit Councillor Beros to provide additional information to the investigator;

3. That the investigation report dated April 13, 2015 (including all the attachments thereto) shall be referred forthwith to the Integrity Commissioner, so that the Integrity Commissioner may conduct any investigation which he/she considers necessary, determine whether Councillor Beros has violated the Council Code of Conduct and, if so, make a recommendation to Council as to the imposition of a penalty under the Municipal Act (which may include a reprimand and/or the suspension of the remuneration paid to Councillor Beros for a period of up to 90 days), and report his/her finding and any recommendation as to penalty to Council.

4. That Councillor Beros be requested to take the following steps further to his obligation as a member of Council pursuant to the Respect in the Workplace Policy to ensure that all employees and all members of Council are provided with a workplace that is free from any form of harassment, abusive conduct, discrimination or workplace violence:

(a) participate in an anti-harassment training program, to be arranged and paid for by the Town;

(b) until such time as the Integrity Commissioner reports back to Council, refrain from accessing all areas of the Town’s offices where Town employees perform their work, except when accompanied by a manager, director, commissioner, or the Chief Administrative Officer, with the exception of the Mayor and Councillor Offices, as well as Council and Committee meetings.

5. That Council issue a public statement.

A recorded vote was taken, as follows:

In Favour: Councillor West, Mayor Barrow, Councillor Cilevitz, Councillor Liu

Opposed: Councillor Muench

The Motion Carried 4 to 1