The union representing Westmount’s white-collar workers is concerned an ethics citation alleging Mayor Michael Stern disrespected employees may reflect broader issues at city hall.
The Quebec Municipal Commission citation, dated July 13, alleges Stern behaved in a “disrespectful and uncivil” manner in three work meetings this spring.
Éliane Scofield Lamarche, the president of the Syndicat des Fonctionnaires municipaux de Montréal, denounced the alleged conduct and stressed the essential role the civil service plays.
“Let’s remember that elected officials come and go, but our members remain and provide essential services to the public,” Scofield Lamarche told The Gazette last week. “It obviously harms the work environment, and the civil service deserves to do its job in peace.”
According to the citation, Stern breached the city’s code of ethics and conduct for elected officials seven times by using disrespectful language during meetings held in April and May.
The document states some of those subjected to the language included the city’s directors of finance, legal services and human resources, in addition to its substitute director general. In some instances, it refers only to “city employees” or a manager.
The allegations are separate from a November incident in which Stern was caught on a hot mic muttering an expletive about a resident during his first council meeting as mayor.
Responding to the citation two weeks ago, Stern said he intends to contest the allegations before the administrative tribunal, while describing himself as a “passionate person.”
He declined an interview request for this report.
“These are unfounded claims and I wholeheartedly deny any wrongdoing,” he wrote in an email response. “I look forward to letting the (ethics) case follow its course.”
No hearing dates have been set in the case and possible sanctions range from a reprimand to a fine or suspension.
City hall grapples with key absences
Westmount has already been contending with several absences from key positions at city hall, including the city’s director general, its director of legal services and clerk, and other members of its legal department.
The department is in charge of drafting legal opinions for the city, overseeing contracts and preparing official documents such as municipal bylaws and council resolutions, among other duties.
The city has not disclosed the reasons for the absences. In early May, it appointed its director of culture, sports and recreation — already serving as substitute director general — to also fill the legal services and clerk roles.
Asked about concerns the situation points to a larger governance issue, a spokesperson declined to comment on the absences but said the city’s administration “remains fully functional.”
Stern also pushed back on the notion.
“I want to reassure residents that city operations and governance are functioning and on track,” he wrote, adding that council has established interim roles and “key departments continue to perform without interruption.”
“Our entire team — both elected officials and municipal staff — remains fully mobilized, aligned and focused on serving Westmount residents,” he added.
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