Councillors concerned about Mayor Gondek's handling of complaints against her staffer

Several city councillors are unhappy with the way Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek handled complaints about the behaviour of her former chief of staff.

Stephen Carter was dismissed from his job on Feb. 2. No reasons have been given publicly for his sudden departure.

At least three city councillors and a manager with the City of Calgary filed complaints about Carter's behaviour.

But Coun. Sonya Sharp said that she told the mayor in early November 2021 about her concerns with Carter.

Sharp said she felt bullied by him and that Carter tried to intimidate her to cooperate with the mayor on council matters or Sharp would have difficulty getting things done.

She was unhappy with his conduct, so Sharp raised the matter directly with the mayor on Nov. 5, 2021.

"I wanted it to be more her and I, just one on one. Unfortunately when I went to her office, Stephen Carter stayed in the room. I reiterated everything he said to me, in front of her, in front of him," said Sharp.

"Obviously, I was clearly upset about the interaction I had."

The alleged bullying and the lack of response from the mayor bothered her so much that the newly-elected Sharp said she contemplated resigning her seat.

Instead, she decided to file a complaint.

Sharp learned later there were other complaints against Carter and the city hired an external firm to investigate the matters.

No information is available on the cost of that investigation.

Coun. Andre Chabot had problems with the behaviour of the former chief of staff.

He complained to city manager David Duckworth, who promised to take up the matter with the mayor's office.