Regina city council is looking to put any “drama” behind them as council voted not to reprimand Councillor Dan LeBlanc and Andrew Stevens for their role in a December 2022 lawsuit against City Manager Nikki Anderson.
Council would instead vote 7 to 2 to reiterate their disappointment over the lawsuit’s negative impact on the council’s operations.
The vote comes after an Integrity Comissomor Angela Kirk’s report found that the Councillors broke two sections of the Code of Ethics bylaw.
“I find that the Respondents (Councillor’s LeBlanc and Stevens): i) failed to adequately consider Council’s role; ii) failed to pursue other adequate and effective remedies; and iii) pursued unnecessary legal proceedings; and as a result, the Respondents failed to serve their constituents in a conscientious and diligent manner and are therefore in contravention of section 13(1) of the Code.”
“I understand the Respondents were passionately supporting an issue important to the community in undertaking the lawsuit, but a member’s passionate support of an issue is not unfettered. Members must consider the impact their actions will have on the quality of public administration, governance, reputation and integrity of the City,” Kirk said. “I find that the Respondents did not adequately consider these basic principles described in the Code and therefore are in contravention of section 13(2) of the Code by taking actions that failed to strive to build and inspire the public’s trust and confidence in local government.
While the lawsuit failed, it has had a lasting effect through the first half of 2023, with allegations of sexism, harassment and political retribution being brought forward.
Multiple councillors stated they were ready to move on from the lawsuit, including LeBlanc.
“It’s a predictable, rational outcome,” he said. “We’ve already sort of shamed Councillor LeBlanc and Stevens for this December; we don’t need to do anymore.”
“I think it’s the end of a very long, drawn-out process that ought not to have got here.”
Mayor Sandra Masters would also put forward an amendment that directed city administration to prepare a report that would ensure that the City of Regina Employee Harassment Policy is extended to cover and apply to the city manager, which was later passed, as well as amendments that would see council get a recommendation on how to update the code of conduct.
