Council Believes in Accountability & Transparency – Will Report on Financial Costs of Harassing Behaviour of Gerry Liddle & Tamara Liddle

Apr 5, 2017 @ 15:32

At last night’s Council Meeting, Mayor and Council passed a resolution directing the Deputy Treasurer to prepare a report on the financial costs of the harassing behaviour of Gerry Liddle and Councillor Tamara Liddle.

It was stated that the Municipality of Wawa believes in Accountability and Transparency in all aspects of its governance as provided through Policy No. GG-006: Accountability and Transparency; and would direct that a report detailing the financial costs, including legal and investigative fees as well as staff costs.

All members of Council present were in favour of the resolution. Councillor Liddle was not present at the meeting.

On July 7th, 2016, Justice E. Gareau awarded costs in a Notice of Application (from Gerald ‘Gerry’ Liddle and Tamara Liddle) in which they, the applicants were not present in the courtroom. Justice Gareau ruled, “Therefore, there will be an order that the applicants pay costs in this matter to the respondent fixed in the amount of $17,696.47, inclusive of HST and disbursements. These costs are payable by the applicants to the respondent forthwith.” (article here)

It was not clear from the resolution if these costs are to be included in the forthcoming report.

RC17073

WHEREAS the Council of the Corporation of the Municipality of Wawa Passed Resolution No. RC16174 on August 9, 2016 detailing harassment against CAO Chris Wray;

AND WHEREAS Resolution RC16174 also provided specific actions that were taken against Gerry Liddle and Tamara Liddle to end and prevent any further harassment or similar behaviour against CAO Chris Wray or other municipal staff;

AND WHEREAS the actions of Gerry Liddle and Tamara Liddle have also come at a large financial cost to the Municipality of Wawa and its ratepayers;

AND WHEREAS the harassing behaviour of Gerry Liddle and Tamara Liddle continued despite the actions taken by the Municipality of Wawa;

AND WHEREAS the continued actions of Gerry Liddle and Tamara Liddle continue to have a financial cost to the Municipality of Wawa and its ratepayers;

AND WHEREAS the Municipality of Wawa believes in Accountability and Transparency in all aspects of its governance as provided through Policy No. GG-006: Accountability and Transparency;

AND WHEREAS Accountability and Transparency are necessary, where possible, in all financial matters and in matters of the conduct of its Council Members, staff and volunteers;

NOWTHEREFOR BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the Corporation of the Municipality of Wawa does hereby direct the Deputy Treasurer to prepare a report to Mayor and Council on the financial cost of the harassing behaviour of Gerry Liddle and Tamara Liddle;

AND FURTHER that such a report shall include details on incremental costs such as legal and administrative fees as well as staff costs.