B.C. mayor censured, pulled from appointments over ‘unbecoming’ conduct

Langley City council has taken the unusual step of censuring Mayor Val van den Broek over what it says is “unbecoming” behaviour.

In a news release Thursday, the city said it could not reveal what prompted the move, citing confidentiality and privacy legislation.

It did, however, say the mayor’s conduct was in breach of its respectful workplace policy, the Workers Compensation Act and the occupational health and safety guidelines.

“Council took the matter very seriously and would not have taken such actions over a minor concern,” the release states.

“Council assures the community that due process and procedural fairness were followed. In particular, the complaint was independently investigated by a third party with experience in workplace law.”

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According to the release, van den Broek was given “a fair opportunity” to participate and respond to the allegations before council took the May 10 vote to censure.

Speaking on CKNW’s Jas Johal Show, van den Broek would not get into the specifics of the allegations, save to say she wanted to ensure residents were “getting the best services” and “spending is being done appropriately.”

“There may be differences of opinion as to staffing issues, and I I wanted to try and ensure that the staff and the employees were working efficiently and safely,” she said.

However she said she wanted the city’s full investigation made public, something she said council voted unanimously against her on.

“Citizens should be asking council why the full report hasn’t been released and just piecemeal pieces of it,” she said.

“I think that I would hope that the citizens would ask why this full report isn’t coming out.”

As a result of the censure, van den Broek’s appointments to the Fraser Health Municipal Advisory Council, Healthier Community Partnerships, Langley Christmas Bureau, Langley Christmas Wish Breakfast, Langley Local Immigration Partnership and Youth Advisory Committee have been rescinded.

The measure remains in effect until a new council is sworn in after October’s municipal election.

Global News has requested comment from City of Langley council.