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Sechelt council apologizes to SCRD for mayor's conduct

'The absence of a public apology from our Mayor concerns the rest of District Council,' reads a statement from the council's six councillors.
Bronwyn Beairsto, Editor
Bronwyn Beairsto, Editor
Sechelt Municipal Hall 2
District of Sechelt municipal hall file photo. Sophie Woodrooffe

District of Sechelt Council has issued a formal apology to the Sunshine Coast Regional District's board and staff for its mayor’s conduct earlier in the year. 

“The absence of a public apology from our Mayor concerns the rest of District Council,” a Nov. 30 statement from all six Sechelt councillors states. “As such, the District of Sechelt Council sincerely apologizes, on behalf of the District of Sechelt, to the SCRD and its involved staff for this workplace incident. 

“The District hopes that by offering this public apology that the SCRD and its staff can move forward and work together with the District on matters that concern all of us on the Sunshine Coast.”

Sechelt Council plans to take no more action regarding the incident, the statement says. 

Background

A workplace incident during a break of a public board meeting in April resulted in the SCRD board censuring the mayor and requesting Sechelt Council not appoint Henderson to any board or committee for the remainder of his term. 

While Mayor John Henderson has characterized the incident as a “short verbal outburst” toward a staff member, none of the parties involved has publicly revealed what was said and to whom.

Henderson has expressed regret for the incident but decried the SCRD board’s response, calling it “wrong in scale” and “wrong in intent.” 

SCRD board chair Leonard Lee responded that the actions were necessary to promote “work environment that is free of bullying and harassment.” Lee said he was aware of no direct apology from Henderson, adding that the mayor’s comments “have had a very real and lasting effect.”

Henderson announced earlier this month that he would resign his position as alternate board director and not seek election to the board for the remainder of the term. 

Last week, Sechelt council selected Councillors Dianne McLauchlan and Adam Shepherd as its replacement alternate directors.  

Henderson was not immediately available for comment on the council’s apology as he is in meetings out of province. 

– With files from Jordan Copp