The City of Nanaimo has announced that it has reached a settlement with its former chief administrative officer.
All outstanding legal matters between Tracy Samra – now Tracy Fleck – and former mayor Bill McKay and Coun. Sheryl Armstrong are included in the settlement, noted the city in a press release, and all disputes have been resolved to "mutual satisfaction.”
Fleck was hired as interim city manager in 2015 and named full-time CAO in 2016. In Jan. 2018, it was reported she was arrested for allegedly making threats during an incident at city hall. In May 2018, the city announced Samra was no longer an employee, with a council member stating she was fired with cause.
A special prosecutor dropped charges in March 2019, stating it was no longer in the public interest.
The former CAO filed a complaint to the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal against McKay, Armstrong and the city in 2018. She also filed a notice of civil claim against the city, McKay and Armstrong in May 2021. In her notice of claim, she accused McKay and Armstrong of bullying and harassment, while the city, in its response to the claim, alleged misconduct by the CAO.
Due to a confidentiality agreement, none of the parties are able to comment, stated the release, however, a council resolution allows councillors to disclose how they voted in relation to the matter.
In a statement, Coun. Ian Thorpe told the News Bulletin he was “adamantly opposed” on settling, but said he could not comment on reasons. Mayor Leonard Krog said he voted against, but also declined to provide reasons as it would violate the disclosure agreement.
Armstrong did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Fleck, in an e-mail to the News Bulletin, stated that as an Indigenous woman, she remains committed to challenging racial and gender stereotypes and addressing the harm caused by that sort of profiling in society and within the criminal justice system.
"In this case, these issues were worsened by the spread of misinformation and disinformation online, which amplified divisiveness and hate, particularly on social media," she stated. "We must hold institutions and each other accountable, raise awareness, and engage in open and respectful dialogue to work toward a more equitable and inclusive society where everyone can live free from bias and discrimination.”
Krog said he wasn’t prepared to comment on statements made by Fleck or anything that occurred during her time working for the city.
McKay did not respond to a request for comment.
– files from Karl Yu, News Bulletin.
