[0:32] Ready?
[0:34] >> Uh good evening, everybody. Welcome to
[0:35] » Uh good evening, everybody. Welcome to
[0:35] our special public council meeting for
[0:37] Wednesday, July 22nd, 2026 here in the
[0:40] town of Torbay. Could I get a motion to
[0:42] adopt the agenda, please?
[0:44] >> So moved.
[0:44] » So moved.
[0:45] >> Second.
[0:45] » Second.
[0:45] >> Moved and seconded. All in favor?
[0:48] » Moved and seconded. All in favor?
[0:48] >> Aye.
[0:48] » Aye.
[0:48] >> Opposed?
[0:50] » Opposed?
[0:50] Carried. Thank you.
[0:51] Uh we have one item on our agenda. It's
[0:53] uh men and HR.
[0:55] Councillor Gosse.
[1:00] » This is regarding the motion to
[1:01] authorize an external third-party
[1:03] investigation
[1:04] for municipal councillor code of conduct
[1:07] complaint. Whereas the town of Torbay
[1:09] received a municipal councillor code of
[1:10] conduct complaint on June 8th, 2026,
[1:13] submitted by a staff member alleging
[1:15] conduct that includes harassment. And
[1:17] whereas section 4.6, the harassment and
[1:20] bullying of the municipal councillor's
[1:22] code of conduct, provides that where a
[1:24] complaint relates to harassment, the
[1:25] chief human resource officer shall refer
[1:28] the complaint to the town of Torbay's
[1:30] respectful workplace policy and
[1:32] harassment prevention plan. And whereas
[1:34] the town of Torbay's respectful
[1:36] workplace policy and harassment
[1:37] prevention plan under section
[1:39] investigation of formal complaint states
[1:42] that in all circumstances with
[1:43] complaints against council members,
[1:45] formal investigations will be done by an
[1:47] external investigator.
[1:49] And whereas council's council recognizes
[1:52] the importance of ensuring that
[1:54] complaints involving allegations of
[1:55] harassment are addressed in accordance
[1:57] with the town's adopted policies and
[1:59] procedures and in a manner that promotes
[2:01] procedural fairness, independence,
[2:03] transparency, transparency, and public
[2:06] confidence in the integrity of the
[2:08] process.
[2:10] Now, therefore, it be resolved that the
[2:12] Town of Torbay Council directs that the
[2:14] Municipal Councillor Code of Conduct
[2:16] Complaint received on June 8th, 2026,
[2:20] including the allegation of harassment
[2:21] and any other alleged breaches of the
[2:24] Municipal Councillor Code of Conduct
[2:26] identified within the complaint, be
[2:28] referred for investigation by an
[2:30] independent external third-party
[2:32] investigator in accordance with section
[2:34] 4.6 of the Municipal Councillor Code of
[2:37] Conduct and the Town of Torbay's
[2:39] Respectful Workplace Policy and
[2:41] Harassment Prevention Plan.
[2:44] Be it further resolved that the Chief
[2:45] Human Resources Officer
[2:47] be authorized and directed to retain the
[2:49] services of a qualified independent
[2:52] external investigator with appropriate
[2:54] expertise in workplace harassment
[2:56] investigations and municipal governance.
[2:59] Be it further resolved that the external
[3:00] investigator conduct the investigation
[3:02] in accordance with the town's applicable
[3:04] policies, principles of procedural
[3:07] fairness, and any applic- any applicable
[3:09] legislation and provide a written report
[3:12] of findings and recommendations to
[3:14] Council upon completion,
[3:16] subject to any privacy and confidential
[3:18] confidentiality requirements imposed by
[3:20] law.
[3:21] Be it further resolved that all members
[3:23] of Council, staff, and any other persons
[3:25] participating in the investigation
[3:28] cooperate fully with the external
[3:29] investigator and provide such
[3:31] information and documentation as may be
[3:33] reasonably
[3:36] requested, subject to applicable legal
[3:39] obligations.
[3:40] Be it further resolved that nothing in
[3:42] this motion shall be interpreted as a
[3:44] finding of fact or a determination
[3:46] regarding the merits of the complaint
[3:48] and that the purpose of this motion is
[3:50] solely to ensure that the complaint is
[3:52] investigated in accordance with the
[3:54] town's adopted policies and procedure.
[3:57] So moved.
[3:59] >> Moved and seconded. Comments? I have
[4:01] » Moved and seconded. Comments? I have
[4:01] one.
[4:02] I would like to strike the word and
[4:04] recommendations
[4:06] out of that third last
[4:09] uh
[4:11] be it resolved because
[4:13] the investigator should provide us with
[4:15] findings,
[4:17] not recommendations.
[4:19] Is everybody okay with that?
[4:21] >> Yeah.
[4:22] » Yeah.
[4:22] >> Okay, thank you very much.
[4:24] » Okay, thank you very much.
[4:24] Any other comments?
[4:26] All in favor?
[4:27] >> Aye.
[4:27] » Aye.
[4:27] >> Aye.
[4:28] » Aye.
[4:28] Opposed?
[4:29] Carried. Thank you. All right.
[4:32] So, with that, our next public council
[4:35] meeting is scheduled to take place
[4:36] Monday, August 10th, 2026, 5:00 p.m.
[4:39] here at the Torbay Council Chambers, and
[4:41] I would entertain a motion to adjourn,
[4:43] please.
[4:45] Moved and seconded. All in favor?
[4:47] Aye. Opposed? Carried. Thank you very
[4:49] much.