The District of Vanderhoof and its former economic development coordinator are at odds over her dismissal from the position.
Erin Siemens has filed a wrongful dismissal suit in B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver and a complaint to the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal alleging she was dismissed over her friendship with Jessi Wilson who, in 2014, ran unsuccessfully for mayor against incumbent Gerry Thiessen.
Thiessen was re-elected in November 2014, as were all the incumbent councillors, and in January 2015 Siemens, who had held the job since June 2013, was dismissed immediately.
In her notice of civil claim, filed in March, Siemens says that at several points during the termination meeting, the municipality's chief administrative officer - Evan Parliament held the position at the time - told her he told the municipality's council that her apparent political alliances were not a problem but to no avail.
"'These seven men's egos can't accept what's happened,'" he allegedly told her.
In a response to the civil claim, the district says Siemens began working as an economic development officer at the end of July 2012 starting at $61,722 and increasing to $64,122 a year at the end of a six-month probation.
But her probation was subsequently extended by a further three months and an organizational review had been initiated.
The district then concluded her skills were not consistent with the position and her job was reduced to economic development coordinator with a reduction in pay to $52,000.
As well, in August 2013, the district says it hired a new CAO, whose skills include economic development. Parliament and the District parted ways in August 2015 and Tom Clement, the community development director, was moved into the position.
During 2014, resource industries - forestry, mining, natural gas and agriculture - were slowing and following the election in November, mayor and council determined it was best to eliminate the department and Siemen's position and transfer those duties to Parliament and other staff, according to the response.
Siemen's pay and benefits were continued to the end of April, the district also added, and "specifically states" some of the conversations Siemens alleges "did not occur or did not occur as and when indicated."
"Some conversations occurred during and following the election in relation to election issues raised during the election, have been taken out of their context and had nothing whatsoever to do with the Plaintiff's termination and/or her employment," the District further said.
Even if some of the conversations did occur, the district says it was entitled to terminate Siemens without just cause and with reasonable notice.
On Friday, Human Rights Tribunal chair Bernd Walter rejected an application from the district to dismiss Siemens' application to that body, concluding in part that Siemens' complaint "rises well above speculation or conjecture."
Siemens must still prove her allegations to get a favourable decision from the tribunal.
Her lawsuit against the district remains before the court.
