Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto said she was "extremely disappointed" in Premier David Eby after he commented on the suspension of a Victoria firefighter who wrote a letter criticizing the city's decision to open a new harm reduction facility on Dowler Place.
The open letter, penned by Josh Montgomery, spoke out against a new harm reduction facility that's near his home, and said "I am writing to you as both a dedicated first responder and a deeply concerned citizen."
The letter was published by various media outlets, including Victoria News.
The Victoria Firefighters Association Union confirmed Thursday morning that Montgomery was suspended for one day without pay for his opinions shared in the letter.
"There is a process to be followed under the collective agreement and that has been initiated," noted a statement from IAFF Local 730 president Jeremy Wilson.
The suspension of the firefighter gained traction, starting with Conservative Party of BC candidate Tim Thielmann who questioned if the suspension came at the direction of Alto or Eby after a virtual "community safety" town hall on Tuesday, Aug. 13.
"We demand an account. Was Mr. Montgomery’s suspension at the insistence of the mayor or did it come from the premier himself? Mr. Montgomery and B.C.’s first responders deserve an explanation and a formal apology for this outrageous and vindictive attack," said Thielman in a statement after the town hall.
Thielman did not answer questions from Black Press Media if he had permission to use the firefighter's story in his statement. He also told Black Press that his information came from journalist Stephen Andrew, who has "his own sources in the fire department," but he did not hear the information from Montgomery himself.
Thielman added that he and the town hall attendees "were informed that the discipline came at the insistence" of Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto, but he could not back up the claim.
According to a news post from the U.S.-based IAFF, which services firefighters throughout North America, firefighters have faced consequences for advocating their positions on ballot referendums, raising awareness of staffing shortages with elected officials, calling for improved safety equipment, and writing letters to the editor about fire department needs, however, when they challenge the penalties in court, they are often "denied justice" due to "confusing laws regarding when public employees can comment and what disclosures are protected."
Premier and mayor deny claims
On Thursday, Aug. 15, the premier's office rejected the suggestion that Eby had played any role in Montgomery's case.
“This is completely false," Jimmy Smith, spokesperson for the Premier's Office, said. "Premier Eby actively seeks out information from front-line workers and welcomes feedback of all kinds. It’s an important way we can hear how issues are impacting people on the ground."
The premier later issued a statement calling for no action to be taken against Montgomery.
“I want to hear from front-line workers, first responders, and any member of the public who wants to share what they are seeing in their communities. No one should face consequences for writing to me and if that’s the reason he was sanctioned, then he deserves an apology and back-pay from the person responsible," Eby said.
At a press conference on Friday morning, Alto also denied any claims that she was involved in Montgomery's suspension, and she slammed Eby for commenting on local personnel matters.
"First of all, I will say that I am extremely disappointed that any provincial premier would feel it appropriate or necessary to make a comment on what is clearly an operational personnel matter of a local government," Alto said, also mentioning that Eby "is not in complete possession of the facts."
She said she has nothing to do with any operational decisions made by the Victoria Fire Department, and she has "absolute confidence" in the department's leadership.
"Finally, I will express my concern that any provincial, aspiring or existing, politicians would use an incident like this to advance their own ambitions and self aggrandize their capacity in seeking public office," she said.
When she was asked if any city employees were involved in the suspension, she said "I can say that I was not involved, and to my knowledge, no one other than those folks who are properly involved in any form of procedure."
But she was unable to say who exactly was involved in the decision.
Community still concerned for upcoming facility
In June, the city announced a partnership with SOLID Outreach Society to fund the operations of a new "access hub" that would provide community-based services in an attempt to reduce the impacts of homelessness, which has been met with disapproval from the surrounding community, including Montgomery, who have said they are concerned about safety, and they have said the city has done little to no public consultation regarding the plan.
Near the end of the Friday press conference, Alto was confronted by North Park residents and business owners who hoped to share their concerns.
"I've been trying to get more information about the project at 2155 Dowler Place since it was announced in June," said one North Park resident named Neil. "For the most part, the responses from city staff are like this: 'I'm not able to assist with your question. Please connect with the mayor and council. Your email has been forwarded to communications and engagement response,' and amazingly, the [communications] department needed four follow-ups in 10 days to say, 'well, you can go through the [freedom of information] process."
Firmin Wyndels, whose business is next to the Dowler Place property, said Alto told North Park residents that she is the easiest person to email for information, but those who have reached out never received a reply from the mayor.
"I'm a fairly progressive thinker. At the same time, I believe we are owed answers as members of the city and members of the community, and so far, there has been not enough given to our community," Wyndels said.
Alto told the two that she would be in contact with them in the coming weeks.
"I'm terrified of the prospect of what could happen. I mean, everyone will hope that it will be a very cleanly run operation, but the reality is, we've seen where these social services have deteriorated," Wyndels told reporters.
– With files from Jake Romphf
