Nelson Sergerie
CHANDLER – Justice has a cost, and the bill is nearly $50,000 for the Town of Chandler following a challenge by the CSN (Confédération des syndicats nationaux) regarding the dismissal of the former head of the municipality’s aquatic department about issues with the Adrenaline Rescue organization.
The Mayor of Chandler, Gilles Daraîche mentions that the Town had to defend itself. “There were eight grievances (six were retained by the court). These are people who were union members. We had no choice but to defend ourselves. Fortunately, we won almost all the grievances,” said the elected official.
On January 15, the arbitrator who heard the six grievances filed by the CSN and Dominique Giroux upheld the Town’s decision to lay off the employee.
Lawyer Alain Turcotte noted that as head of the sports and aquatic complex, Dominique Giroux had a certain leeway in its management, leading to greater obligations.
The arbitrator concluded that the bond of trust was broken and rejected the dismissal grievance of March 15, 2023, filed by the union, upholding the decision of the Town of Chandler to dismiss the former head of aquatic activities.
The preparation of the case by the town’s attorneys cost $35,316, while the appearance before the arbitrator cost another $12,529, for a total of $47,845.
Bruno-Pierre Godbout’s legal fees
Legal costs continue to pile up in Chandler as the town must foot the bill for the defence of Councillor Bruno-Pierre Godbout who is facing fraud allegations.
The Newport councillor faces three charges in connection with expense accounts filed in 2021.
On January 18, the Permanent Anti-Corruption Unit (UPAC) reported that its investigation showed that between February 1 and July 31, 2021, in the position of pro-mayor during the suspension of former mayor Louisette Langlois by the Commission municipale du Québec, he produced and used false expense claims.
UPAC estimates the amount of fraud at around $10,000.
Mr. Godbout is scheduled to appear on April 22 at the Percé Courthouse to answer charges of fraud, forgery and use, possession, or trafficking of a document.
“We checked with our lawyers. We could have said ‘no’ and waited until the end of the trial. Except if Mr. Godbout were to win his case, we must pay his legal fees plus interest. We pay now and we’ll save the interest,” explains the mayor of Chandler, Gilles Daraîche.
“If Mr. Godbout loses his case, he signed a document stating that he would reimburse the incurred expenses. We’d like it better to play out like that. There would be no phase 2, 3 or 4 as in the case of Ms. Langlois,” adds the mayor.
The Louisette Langlois saga
A new invoice has also been added in the saga between the former mayor, Louisette Langlois and the Town of Chandler in the Municipal Commission file.
The Morency lawyers firm, which represents the town, invoiced $10,669, bringing the total to $353,495.
This bill is linked to the motion filed by Ms. Langlois in the Superior Court to have the Town’s behaviour declared abusive and to reject the application instituting proceedings.
The document filed with the court last April by Ms. Langlois’ attorney, Charles Caza, specifies several reasons for arriving at this request, in particular, the maneuvers to “prevent the Defendant from having the right to a full and complete defence in the aim of depriving her of having access to all the documentary and other evidence.”
The judge has not yet transmitted his decision.
The town of Chandler filed a motion in January 2022 claiming $230,411 from the former elected official, alleging that she had increased procedures to try to overturn the 180-day suspension in 2021 for 20 violations of the Code of Ethics for elected officials. The town of Chandler reserves the right to adjust its claim.
Furthermore, the lawsuit filed against former mayor Louisette Langlois in January 2022 claiming $230,411 in the saga surrounding the 180-day sanction of the Municipal Commission from January to July 2021 saw its overall bill reach $353,000, and it could total $450,000 if the trend continues.
“We are almost at the end. We had to go through this step. We were successful at this stage and we hope to be successful in the end,” states the mayor.
“We are talking about a hearing in April and an outcome in June. We can’t wait for it to end,” he said.
At this stage, it would be surprising if an out-of-court agreement is reached, says the elected official.
Legal fees take a toll
When we add up all of these cases, the total bill will be around half a million dollars. “Legal fees are always too much. We shouldn’t get to this point. When someone is found guilty, you should stop there. When you persist in having a second and third hearing, these are additional costs,” mentions the mayor, referring to the case against the former mayor.