Chestermere.info

Informing our community.

Conflict arises in Chestermere as union alleges unjust dismissals

Chestermere City workers’ union alleges wrongful dismissals, accuses city officials of undermining union, while the city denies allegations amid ongoing contract negotiations.

Chestermere seeks judicial review, alleging conspiracy.

Chestermere challenges a governance investigation, alleging a conspiracy. They seek a judicial review of the inspection report and directives. Council resolution was not sought and does not represent the views of all council.

City demands response from Province ahead of looming deadline

Chestermere demands response to governance report, citing bias concerns; province issued directives; ongoing dispute seeks collaboration for effective governance. Deadline: Sept 29.

Minister raises alarm over Chestermere council’s response to investigation

Minister McIver concerned about Chestermere council’s response to investigation findings, warns of potential enforcement due to ongoing disputes.

Alleged assault trial ongoing for senior city official

Former Chestermere communications manager accuses Kim Wallace, a senior official, of assaulting her during a meeting. Wallace denies the allegations. Trial ongoing.

Chestermere council accuses inspector of criminal offence

Chestermere council challenges inspection, accuses inspector of criminal activity. Mayor disputes findings, risking dissolution. Political scientist predicts council’s end.

Chestermere mayor claims province’s municipal inspection report is a ‘fictional document’

Mayor Colvin challenges province-ordered report on Chestermere’s governance as biased and hearsay-based. Plans to present evidence against findings. Ongoing directives and supervision amid tensions.

City accused of stalling union negotiations

CUPE says little progress has been made in union negotiations with Chestermere due to governance dysfunction and complications caused by the city’s three-chief administrative officer model.

Province releases inspection report; finds mismanagement in city

A provincial investigation found issues with the governance of Chestermere, outlining 12 directives for the council to follow. Failure to comply may lead to the removal of the mayor and council.

City misrepresents financial statements

KPMG denies auditing the 2021 financial statements of the City of Chestermere after resigning from the audit engagement in December 2022. The city published the financial package stating KPMG had audited it.

Senior City of Chestermere official charged with assault

Kim Wallace, a senior official at the City of Chestermere, has been charged with assault following an altercation with another employee in January.

Mayor denies allegations made about staff abuse

Chestermere Mayor Jeff Colvin denies allegations that a city staffer slapped another employee, calling them false rumors.

City Council rejects draft inspection report, again

Chestermere City Council rejects draft inspection report again as the first meeting was disallowed due to a time stamp issue.

City Council rejects draft Municipal Affairs inspection report 

Chestermere City Council rejects municipal inspection report over governance irregularities; report identified improper council meeting procedures, code of conduct violations, and improper sale of municipal property.

Minister threatens to fire Chestermere council over pushback

Alberta’s Municipal Affairs Minister threatens to dismiss Chestermere City Council members for acting on disallowed resolutions monitored by a provincially appointed official administrator.

City reviews draft municipal inspection report

An investigation was conducted into allegations of misconduct in the City of Chestermere’s government. The report was presented to city officials in a private meeting, and the province will issue a ministerial order to address the situation. The report’s public release date is currently unknown.

Breach of residents’ privacy

The city accidentally exposed residents’ personal information in a report presented by Mayor Jeff Colvin. The report contained emails and names of residents, as well as the personal phone numbers of councillors. The city has reported the incident to the Alberta privacy commissioner.

Province installs an official administrator due to council’s escalating ‘dysfunction’

The province of Alberta appointed an official administrator, Douglas Lagore, to monitor the Chestermere city council due to increasing dysfunction among council members. Lagore has the power to quash council decisions and must approve certain decisions before they take effect.

City sanctions and issues cease and desist letter to councillor

Mayor Jeff Colvin presented evidence of code of conduct violations by councillors Ritesh Narayan, Shannon Dean, and Sandy Johal-Watt. Narayan was sanctioned with the support of three councillors, pending investigations, and a newly launched investigation was opened into a Postmedia article.

Municipal Affairs reviews Chestermere’s governance inspection report

the AB Gov’t completed an investigation into Chestermere city council, conducted by a municipal adviser. The report will be presented to council and may lead to recommendations or orders.

City launches investigations into three councillors

Chestermere council is investigating its own members over code of conduct violations, following complaints from three councillors to the Municipal Affairs Department. The investigations focus on a Facebook post, a joint complaint, and a statement to a local news outlet.

Alleged financial irregularities at CUI

During a public hearing on CUI, finance staff raised financial irregularities, leading Mayor Colvin to release a summarized list of allegations. Councillor Narayan explained some points, but some clarifications were delayed due to audited financial statements not being available

Rocky View County pulls out of Chestermere Rec Centre purchase negotiations

Rocky View County council cancelled negotiations with Chestermere for the sale of the Chestermere Recreation Centre. The cancellation delays construction of new recreational facilities in the area, and Chestermere City council will look for other locations for the facilities.

City workers unionize

Chestermere city workers voted to join CUPE Local 37 due to concerns about job security. Of 88 ballots cast, 85% were in favor. The union and the city will debate the first collective bargaining agreement.

Mayor Jeff Colvin claims the inspection has nothing to do with the current council

Mayor Colvin denied current council involvement in the investigation, but later admitted the inspection included current council and their learning curve.

Municipal Affairs orders a formal inspection

Alberta government orders formal inspection of Chestermere’s governance and administration following concerns and irregularities identified in a preliminary review.

Municipal Affairs launches a preliminary review into the city’s governance

Alberta government investigates alleged misconduct by Chestermere officials following multiple complaints of code of conduct violations, property sale breaches, and bullying.

City employees begin the unionization process

Chestermere city employees applied to join CUPE for better treatment and rights, with negotiations following the application’s approval.

Concerns regarding Chestermere’s governance expressed to Ministry of Municipal Affairs

The Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIvor began receiving complaints related to the administration and governance of the City of Chestermere in January. Source: https://www.alberta.ca/chestermere-municipal-inspection.aspx