Quinte West Mayor Jim Harrison has accepted disciplinary measures presented in a report by Quinte West’s Integrity Commissioner regarding verbal abuse after a February 2023 council meeting.
The decision was made at a council meeting on Wednesday.
Measures included a public apology and a 15-day suspension of the mayor’s pay.
The February 8, 2023 council meeting included discussion on who would fill the role of Sidney Ward councillor following the passing of Terry Cassidy.
During that meeting, there was a heated moment between Councillor Duncan Armstrong and Quinte West Mayor Jim Harrison while Armstrong was explaining his reasoning to support Karen Sharpe taking on the role.
This exchange occurred between Armstrong and Mayor Jim Harrison after Harrison said there was a motion on the table.
“I’m talking.”
“We have a motion on the table.”
“Didn’t you just speak? (motioning to Councillor Shelley Stedall) I’m not allowed to speak.”
Following his explanation to council, Armstrong then said that he didn’t appreciate Mayor Harrison for interrupting his comments.
Sharpe ultimately was voted into the role, 8-4 following a 6-6 split for Alan Dewitt, who was the next in line for the seat from the 2022 municipal election.
Armstrong voted for Sharpe in the role, while Mayor Harrison voted for Dewitt in the role.
The incident of verbal abuse outlined in Quinte West Integrity Commissioner Tony Fleming’s report begins after the meeting where according to findings, a confrontation occurred between Armstrong and Mayor Harrison outside the building.
It’s alleged that Mayor Harrison called Councillor Duncan Armstrong “an a**hole” multiple times and continued to verbally attack Armstrong as he was heading towards his car before both left separately in their vehicles.
It is alleged that the mayor then called Armstrong to apologize, which was not accepted.
In the findings, it is said that while Mayor Harrison did not recall the exact words used in the exchange, there was no denial of Armstrong’s account of events.
Quinte West Integrity Commissioner Tony Fleming outlining his report into verbal abuse following a February 8, 2023 council meeting. January 10, 2024. (Photo: Zach McGibbon/Quinte News)
At a council meeting on Wednesday, Fleming presented the report outlining what the next steps could be for council as it looks over the recommendation.
“Our findings were that the actions of the mayor constituted a breach of sections 6.1 and 6.2. of the Code of Conduct based on our findings, and that there was a breach of the Code of Conduct,” Fleming told council about the report.
“We are recommending to council that you impose a penalty of a suspension of pay for 15 days, and that you request an apology in public from the mayor.”
Councillor Egerton Boyce asked several questions to Fleming about the investigation, first asking about the length.
Fleming noted that the timeline of the investigation was longer than what they usually see for a similar incident.
“There were certainly some delays. We granted some extensions and so on, but it’s important to appreciate that it’s necessary for fairness to everyone involved in the process that we allow this to unfold, and give people the time they need to properly respond,” Fleming said.
“So to answer your question, no, it’s not usual that it would take this long but in these circumstances, it is a reasonable amount of time.”
Fleming also confirmed that he relied on one of his associate lawyers to help with the investigation as the hourly rate was more beneficial to the city.
“She’s a very experienced legal counsel. She did the interviews, but I was supervising throughout the process and this is very much my report,” Fleming told Boyce.
Councillor Egerton Boyce asking questions about the investigation into verbal abuse following the February 8, 2023 meeting. January 10, 2024. (Photo: Zach McGibbon/Quinte News)
Boyce asked about the cost to the city for this kind of investigation.
Fleming said while he wasn’t expecting the question and that the city clerk would have the full amount once it was fully wrapped, he suspected the cost would be more than $5,000.
When asked if it could be $10,000, Fleming said he did not know the answer.
“I send out probably 130 invoices a month, every month. I can’t keep track of those numbers, but I could certainly undertake to provide that to counsel through the clerk or how you’d like to do it,” Fleming said.
“I just don’t have the answer. I don’t want to say it is or isn’t or lower or above $10,000. I just don’t know the answer sir.”
Boyce concluded calling for Mayor Harrison to accept the findings on his own and to avoid council voting.
“I truly believe that it would be beneficial as the head of council not to have councillors vote necessarily on the recommendation,” Boyce said.
“During the last 10 months, this council has worked together under your leadership to provide and achieve many things. In my opinion, a vote would or could cause divisiveness, which would have a negative effect on the way we’ve been working together for the betterment of Quinte West.”
Mayor Harrison agreed with Boyce, saying he would accept the recommendations laid out in the report.
“I’m prepared to make an apology and I’m prepared to pay the penalty in full, no questions asked. That’s what I’m prepared to do,” Mayor Harrison said.
“So there’s no voting required. You can pass the motion as such and that’s, that’s what I’m prepared to do.”
Councillor Duncan Armstrong says he accepts Mayor Harrison’s apology for the February 2023 verbal abuse incident. January 10, 2024. (Photo: Zach McGibbon/Quinte News)
Councillor Duncan Armstrong then spoke, confirming a Quinte News report that he was the complainant.
He said he would accept Mayor Harrison’s apology and that he didn’t want to put him through the fire.
“This is a disagreement that took place. I’m sorry it took place. But in keeping with what Councillor Boyce said, I like to keep a unified front. I don’t want to put anybody in a position and I accept your apology. You don’t need to read it,” Armstrong told Mayor Harrison.
Following this, Armstrong and Harrison embraced.
Councillor Duncan Armstrong and Mayor Jim Harrison embrace after Mayor Harrison accepted the recommendations laid out in the Integrity Commisioner’s report. January 10, 2024. (Photo: Zach McGibbon/Quinte News)
Council voted to receive the report indicating that the mayor had accepted the recommendations.
Mayor Harrison concluded by giving his full support to the Integrity Commissioner.
“Mr. Fleming, before you leave, in my statement, I want you to know that I’m saying I have faith in the Integrity Commissioner process and accept any recommendations at the discretion of our director of council. Thank you.”
During public input, several citizens said that they appreciated that the issue was resolved and that council could move forward from the incident.
Some citizens noted, however, the cost of the investigation that would be paid for in taxpayer money.
“I’d like to thank you for settling this as as quickly and as honourably as you did. I believe that you’ve done everything in your power to keep this from escalating while others tried to blow it out of proportion,” resident Glenn Brown tells council.
“Like the previous (speaker) said, the amount of money we wasted, the time we wasted … it’s unbelievable. This council has to start working together.”
