During a broadcast interview on Radio Canada, Richard Laflamme, our partner and lawyer in real estate and municipal law, commented on the investigation report of the Quebec Municipal Commission (CMQ) regarding the disclosure of misconduct concerning the Municipality of Ireland.
The mayor of the Municipality of Ireland was the subject of a CMQ investigation for abuse of authority and mismanagement. The report published by the Directorate of Investigations and Prosecutions in Municipal Integrity (DEPIM) observe inappropriate behavior, including psychological harassment towards an employee and the general director.
“If he had doubts about an employee’s behavior, what he should have done, initially, during a formal council session, was to inform the other members of the council – […]”, declared Mr. Laflamme, specializing in real estate and municipal law, in his interview with Radio Canada.
Finally, the DEPIM report recommends corrective measures, including training on conflict management and a better definition of the roles of elected officials. The municipality must follow up by May 2025, failing which the Minister of Municipal Affairs could intervene.