Chronology of the events leading up to the Skakun trial
2004
Fall - RCMP Supt. Dahl Chambers begins relationship with Ann Bailey a city employee
at the detachment.
2005
Fall - Skakun makes allegations during the municipal election. Claims city hall, RCMP, crown soft-pedaled the allegation.
2006
Sept. 2006 - Chambers, Bailey move in together
2007
Sept. - Ken Corrigan loses job after eight years at RCMP detachment after complaining about workplace conditions. Given involuntary retirement. His job, the top civilian position at the detachment, is given to Bailey and another civilian. Days later, Sheri McLean-Smith (Chambers' confidential assistant) and Linda Thompson (Chambers' executive assistant) take leaves of absence.
They tell the Citizen that they acted under the city's whistleblower policy and they prompted the Heller report.
McLean-Smith quote: "We believe it was a wrongful dismissal (of Corrigan.")
Nov. - Gary Bass Deputy commissioner Gary Bass ( recently made Deputy Commissioner West overseeing the RCMP jurisdictions in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, the Yukon and Northwest Territories) begins informal probe into Chambers
2008
March 2008(?) - McLean Smith and Thompson file grievance with City over lack of action on their complaints and even longer since informal concerns were raised with admin.services department.
McLean-Smith quote: "I think this is all a message designed to keep other potential whistleblowers from ever coming forward."
Thompson quote: "It is unfortunate that you do the right thing and you pay the price."
March - Heller report completed. City staff do not act upon it, city councilors not aware of its existence
April 30 - Citizen reports on report by Kitty Heller (K.J. Heller Law Corp, Vancouver) commissioned by city of Prince George
- Report says there is a conflict of interest between RCMP Supt. Dahl Chambers and the city's top employee at the detachment, Ann Bailey. The two are in the midst of a relationship and Bailey is Chambers live-in partner
- Chambers to Citizen says the report was not acted upon because there are "levels of professional hierarchy" that separate him and Bailey. Adds city administrators have known "a long time" and the relationship was cleared.
- Heller quote: "There is a little doubt that a reasonable person would conclude that this person could benefit from the relationship."
- Chambers quote: "Pick a point of collusion. I couldn't do that (advance a personal agenda in concert with Bailey) without a number of people interceding. There are too many checks and balances."
- Chambers claims neither one reported to each other nor does Bailey report to an RCMP officer or Chambers to a city employee. He also claims there are many other officer/officer, officer/city, city/city relationships.
- City manager Derek Bates says he's read the report, admits councilors might not be privy to what it said. Personnel matters are dealt with in closed session of council. Staff issues his responsibility.
May - Deputy Commissioner Bass tells Citizen "review" not investigation into Chambers near completion. "I would characterize it as workplace conflict."
May - Councillors receive copy of the Heller report during council meeting.
May - Citizen reports Bass review upgraded to disciplinary probe. Insp. Paul Darbyshire tells the Citizen: "This is a Code of Conduct. It is still under investigation and nearing completion."
- Chambers given informal discipline - letter of apology presented to four complainants (Corrigan, MS, Thompson and one other) Citizen told all four identical, delivered after review but before upgrade to Code of Conduct. Also underwent "operational guidance"
- Citizen told by Supt. Barry Clark, North District CO, civilians complaining at RCMP detachment "a little bit of new territory here" and it took longer to sort out how the rules worked.
Aug - Citizen reports Chambers disciplined internally. Told by RCMP spokesperson it was an "informal" code of conduct investigation, not formal. Chambers allegedly made comments, gestures towards Corrigan. Thompson, McLean-Smith also target, also witnessed the conduct. Namecalling toward Corrigan.
Bass acknowledged 7 of the 11 allegations, three were founded.
Called Corrigan an "idiot", "water boy."
After a "verbal disagreement" Chambers stood at Corrigan's office and made "goading gestures"
In conversation with Staff Sgt. Victor Smith (husband of McLean-Smith), described Corrigan as a "short little fucker" and made a masturbatory gesture
Three other allegations deemed "founded" by Bass as well. Thompson, McLean-Smith allegations: belittling, embarrassing comments, particularly one about RCMP commissioner Bev Busson.
The letters of apology to the four involved were identical and read as follows:
"I hereby offer my sincere apology to you concerning any language or behaviour I may have engaged in during the past which may have caused you hurt or embarrassment as a consequence of my actions. I assure you that I have been made fully aware of the hurtful effects that any negative comments or actions can have on a work environment and my co-workers. As an officer and a member of the RCMP, I should be much more aware of the effect that the actions of a person in a supervisory role can have on his employees than a member of the public.
"As such, I once again apologize for any of my actions which you believe have caused you difficulties as set forth in your formal complaint."
August - Corrigan didn't accept apology, tells Citizen. Six of 11 allegations upheld. Corrigan called a "bastard." "It was not a one-time deal," Corrigan said of Chambers' behaviour. "This was systematic, over a long period of time, continuous, degrading, dehumanizing comments that were made."
- Corrigan says if he was a city employee, Chambers would have been fired. Carlene Keddie of the CUPE local, not sure. City's harassment policy covers only "charter-protected items" such as race, place of origin, gender and sexual orientation." Chambers apologizing is more than usual. Most would happen is union worker brought out of situation.
- MS and Thompson no longer work at detachment
August - Skakun allegedly violates Section 30.4 of the Freedom of information and Protection of Privacy Act. Heller report turns up on media website, the CBCs.
August - Skakun sounds off, asking questions about how much Heller cost, the severance packages, the internal investigations, cost. Calls on council to take more interest in the report. Wants to question Administrative services director Rob Whitwham on matter.
- Revealed that Whitwham led the reorganization that led to Corrigans forced retirement. Also revealed the Heller report scolded Whitwham for being too casual.
- Many city councilors, then Mayor Colin Kinsley decline to comment on why report wasn't forthcoming.
- Kinsley quote: "There is pretty good reporting out of information, Canada leads many other nations, but you just can't discuss personnel matters in a public place, it is just not allowed. If somebody comes to work for the City of Prince George you don't give up your rights that everyone else enjoys. And most things are released."
- Glen Scott quote: "I honestly believe that the city staff and RCMP staff can handle situations like these in such a way that will result in a positive outcome. I am not going to second guess administration. I know they do a thorough and concise job. As a city councilor, if you can't trust your administration you are in a whole pile of worse situations than you could believe. I think we have a very excellent set of city administrators from (city manager) Derek Bates on through."
- Don Zurowski quote on the delay: "I think city staff are guilty of good judgment far and away the majority of times. Sometimes they view things differently than we do, but we discuss those things, communication solves most everything. When something doesn't work we fix it, but generally speaking it is all working well. Sometimes there is over-communication, sometimes there is under-communication but generally things work very well."
- Sherry Sethen declined to comment past she'd like to see the RCMP report into Chambers.
- Councillors Murry Krause, Debora Muoz, Shirley Gratton, and Don Bassermann refused any comment at all on the record.
August - Corrigan, Thompson, Mclean-Smith, received letters from Gary Bass apologizing for Chambers actions over two years. Bass promises disciplinary action.
- Corrigan quote: "The city did not exhibit any support for their employees at all."
- Thompson quote: "I am terribly angry at the City of Prince George, they have behaved in a disgraceful manner and treated their employees very poorly. It was a year full of turmoil, disappointment and stress simply because I did the right thing, I stood up to a bully, and (city hall) knew about our issues well in advance."
- Mclean-Smith in a letter to council: "Linda Thompson and I are requesting a meeting with you and council about the events that have brought us here to this point. Since life-altering decisions have been made and lives affected, I think it is owed to everyone to know the facts and what really happened."
August - RCMP Investigations clear Chambers, order "operational guidance" a form of counseling.
September - Councillor Debora Munoz alleges Skakun told her he leaked the Heller report.
October - Chambers transferred to Vancouver. Citizen learns Bailey goes with him. He has served in P.G. nine years: five as OIC, four as Operations Officer.
November - Munoz meets with then Mayor Colin Kinsley and city manager Derek Bates saying Skakun leaked Heller reports. Also tells Councillor Murry Krause. Also alleges Skakun slashed the tires of a car, threatened suicide and made her fear for her life.
2009
March - Insp. Ray Noble begins investigation into Heller report leak,
August - Skakun charged under the Freedom of Information Act - laid by Insp. Ray Fast, operations officer for North District HQ
Section 30.4 of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act reads: "An employee, officer or director of a public body or an employee or associate of a service provider who has access, whether authorized or unauthorized, to personal information in the custody or control of a public body, must not disclose that information except as authorized under this Act."
- first time charge laid under that section
- Skakun quote: "It is a witch hunt."
- Max. fine: $2,000
- Act came into force Oct. 4, 1993, year later amended to include municipal governmentt
- First appearance set for Sept. 22
August - Skakun sets up defence fund
August - Skakun says he will not resign, regardless of decision. P.G. lawyer Jon Duncan. Sets up website at www.brianskakun.com (not working)
September - Skakun makes first appearance - arraignment set for two months
November - Skakun pleads not guilty - Trial expected to last 10 days, Crown may call 18 witnesses
November - Skakun lawyer Jon Duncan says Skakun's defence will revolve around argument that, as an elected official, Skakun obligated to release information. Section two of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Also notes "In particular, the legislation states that the disclosure of personal information is not an unreasonable invasion of privacy if it's about the third party's position, functions or remuneration as an officer, employee or member of a public body."
November - Skakun resigns from resolutions committee - says legal costs will be $40,000. Councillor Garth Frizzell given spot.
2010
June- Trial set for Oct. 26 - 24 witnesses set to appear
June - Skakun's lawyer, Duncan, asks council to cover costs. Local Government Act would allow council to do so. Says guilty verdict could trigger civil actions against city.
August- Skakun issues notice of motion that city should cover legal costs staff and council. Defense to present case Dec. 7. Council refuses in camera to discuss.
Oct. 26 - Trial starts (see story today)
