The "arms' length" investigation into allegations of sexual discrimination and misconduct at Canadore College is in its third day and yet the college is still refusing to say which company is carrying out the work or who did the hiring.
An email to President George Burton went unanswered, and Human Resources Manager Jodee Brown Yeo responded with, "an independent third party investigator has been appointed. This investigator will determine the process and next steps. Until then, we have no further comment."
This, despite calls from OPSEU and a lawyer, taking one case to the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal, that the name of the company doing the investigation should be public knowledge and be open and transparent.
See: Canadore employees charging poisonous work environment balloons to 50 says union
And: Appoint credible and impartial third party investigator, Canadore warned
Gillian Hnatiw, of the Toronto law firm Adair Goldblatt Bieber, in a letter dated March 1 and obtained by BayToday, said the Canadore College Board of Governors needs to appoint "a credible and impartial" third party to conduct a meaningful investigation. Failure to do anything less, she says "will leave a stench of undue influence on the results."
Her statement underscores fears that the company hired to do the investigation will have previous connections to the College.
Among a number of Hnatiw's expectations are that the investigator will report to the Board "without influence or input from Mr. Burton or other senior members of Canadore's administration" and that the investigator will have "no prior relationship with Canadore, Mr. Burton, or other senior members of Canadore's administration."
Hnatiw is asking that the investigator be given "broad latitude to look into systemic harassment, discrimination, and abuse of power" and report the findings and conclusions directly to the Board.
And finally, she wants the Board to commit that the report will be made public.
It's not even clear who hired the investigator, Burton or the Board.
A demand by OPSEU, that it be given "significant input" into the investigation was ignored.
The union represents most of the 50 people who have come forward with complaints.
In a strongly worded letter obtained by BayToday, OPSEU President Warren Thomas wrote, "I understand you have hired a third-party investigator, without input from OPSEU members or other victims. We have little faith in an investigator chosen by the college without any worker input into the selection process. It erodes confidence that a truly independent investigation process will take place that encourages a broad-scope look at the pervasive culture of fear that some senior administrators have been allowed to create and perpetuate."
The Canadore Board of Governors has been silent also, partly because Board Chair Bob Nicholls left on a month-long vacation just days after the controversy broke.
The Board appears to lack any direction as Nicholls hasn't appointed a spokesperson in his place, and no-one else is stepping up to the plate.
Vice-Chair Nancy Ann Hedican told BayToday that she had no comment on the situation and that Bob Nicholls is the Board spokesman.
Numerous emails to Nicholls have not been returned, including questions surrounding the hiring of the investigator.
Neither the Board nor Burton has responded to a union demand that the manager named in most of the complaints be put on paid leave until the investigation is complete.
"To protect all employees against reprisals and further harassment, the accused in these allegations must be removed from the workplace pending the outcome of the investigation and publication of extensive, concrete measures to end the poisonous workplace environment at Canadore – once and for all."
Meanwhile, Merrilee Fullerton, the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities doesn't appear to understand the issue.
In a statemenrt to BayToday she cited the Human Rights hearing as a reason not to get involved, despite the fact it is the complaints of over 50 other people that forced the investigation.
"We want all students to learn in a safe and respectful environment. No one should have to worry about sexual violence or harassment while on campus. Post-secondary institutions should be doing everything in their power to combat sexual discrimination, harassment, and violence," she said through spokeperson Bozzato, Rebecca.
"Minister Fullerton has a zero tolerance policy for inappropriate sexual behavior, and expects the same from all educational institutions. It is the responsibility of all colleges and universities in Ontario to have in place strong policies to address sexual violence on campuses.
"We are aware of the allegations of sexual impropriety by a staff member at Canadore College, but as the matter is before the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, it would be inappropriate for me to comment."
