Cochrane mayor’s pay should be suspended 90 days, integrity commissioner rules

Cochrane Mayor Peter Politis bullied and harassed two senior managers in the town, the community’s integrity commissioner has ruled.

Cochrane Mayor Peter Politis bullied and harassed two senior managers in the town, the community’s integrity commissioner has ruled.

H.G. Elston also recommended suspending the mayor’s pay for a total of 90 days. Both recommendations would have to be approved by council.

The managers are the town’s chief administrative officer – who is now on medical leave -- and the director of community services, who has since resigned.

At issue are the mayor’s actions since his election in 2022, promising to bring in sweeping changes to the way the community is run.

Politis wanted more direct control over town operations, and began to second-guess decisions made by the managers and push them to submit to his demands.

In Ontario, however, there is a clear division of powers in municipalities, with elected politicians setting the policy and staff implementing it under the direction of the CAO.