Conservation Authority chair resigns

The turmoil at the North Bay Mattawa Conservation Authority has claimed another major player.

According to the CA website, Shelley Belanger, a councillor for Papineau-Cameron resigned at its June 26 regular meeting after serving only four months as chair of the board.

The change was not announced publicly, as is the usual practice. The Conservation Authority normally issues a news release when it changes chairs.

See: Shelley Belanger new chair of Conservation Authority

Belanger's term was filled with controversy surrounding staff-management relations, including the staff joining a union as a "layer of protection against management."

That came after staff wrote a letter to the Board requesting a meeting to deal with a "toxic" working environment. According to employees, the Board ignored the plea, and didn't even bother to respond. That led to an employee walk-out.

See: Conservation Authority staff walk out in protest

The working environment deteriorated further and became so bad that the Board's own human resources manager resigned in protest.

See: Local Conservation Authority in 'total chaos' says its own HR director

And: Conservation Authority HR Director resigns! Cites hostile and toxic workplace

The Board has never publicly explained its take on the workplace chaos, or even acknowledged it. A media availability promised by former CAO Chithra Gowda was quashed by Belanger.

Belanger isn't the only high-profile resignation. In addition to Human Resources Manager Mark Bremer the organization's CAO Chithra Gowda also resigned last month. Other employees have also left.

See: Conservation Authority CAO quits amidst controversy

Taking Belanger's place as chair is Michelle Lahaye, a councillor in the municipality of Mattawan and former vice chair.

BayToday asked Lahaye if she would be seeking better staff relations as chair.

"I'm looking at the things. It's gonna take a while to get familiarized with everything that's going on, but everything is running smoothly," she said, adding, "We've got a lot of things to work through."

Asked if she has a priority she will be working on as chair, Lahaye replied, "There's too many to name."

The position of vice chair didn't prove to be a popular one.

Lahaye nominated former chair Dave Britton of Powassan but he declined. Lahaye then nominated Loren Mick of Mattawa. After two more calls for nominations and seeing none, Mick was asked if he would take the position and he accepted.  

The Board then unanimously voted Lahaye as chair to replace Belanger, who remains a board member.