OPSEU, the union representing professors and support workers at Canadore, is calling for the Ministry of Colleges and Universities and the Ministry of Labour to intervene at Canadore College "in the wake of an attempted cover-up of the independent investigation report concerning long-standing allegations of harassment and discrimination by senior managers at Canadore."
See: George Burton: 'Investigator's report won't be made public'
Last week, OPSEU President Smokey Thomas called for the College to commit to releasing the much-anticipated report.
See:Union demands complete copy of investigator's report on Canadore's 'poisonous' workplace culture
And: Union demands complete copy of investigator's report on Canadore's 'poisonous' workplace culture
"The College refused last Wednesday, before even seeing the report," said Thomas in a release this afternoon. "Earlier today, the College indicated that the report will not be released at all."
Thomas adds that instead of releasing the report, or even the recommendations themselves, the College chose to release a brief statement that "appears to diminish the significance of the investigation."
"The College disclosed today that many of the experiences identified were historical in nature, involved a consensual, intimate relationship between employees, and that there was 'no merit' to claims of a sexual predator on campus. In contrast, dozens of union members who were involved in the investigation reported that their allegations concerned patterns of bullying, harassment, and cover-ups that were condoned or fueled by senior managers. The investigation alone took nearly a year and involved more than 50 witnesses.
"It is of great concern that the President of the College at first said that the investigation report may have been disclosed to senior managers who were the subject of the investigation. Employees who participated in the investigation were assured that their concerns would not be disclosed. Now, their confidential information may have been shared with those who are accused. This is a shocking breach of trust and fairness. How can they now feel safe and protected by the College?
The Union says that up to seven members of the Board of Governors at Canadore College have resigned over the College’s handling of this investigation.
"The College may no longer be in compliance with Ontario legislation. How can the College – without a functioning Board of Governors or a copy of the investigation report – ever expect to manage the College through this crisis?
Thomas wrote to the College last week that longstanding concerns regarding a poisonous work environment must be fully and openly addressed, and that could only be done with transparency and genuine collaboration with the Union.
"Now, in the wake of an attempted cover-up, OPSEU calls for President George Burton and Vice-President Shawn Chorney of Canadore College to be placed on administrative leave while the Ministries step in to ensure that the investigation report is disclosed to the appropriate parties, including the Union, and that the allegations of a poisoned work environment are fully addressed," says Thomas.
BayToday asked for an interview with Burton, but received no reply. Similarly, a call to Board Chair Bob Nicholls, about to take a six-week vacation, was not returned.
We also reached out to Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli and received an emailed statement.
“In regards to the allegations at Canadore College, because the matter is before the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, it would be inappropriate for me to comment," said Fedeli.
However, the Human Rights report is a completely separate investigation and is not expected to deliver a report before the end of the year.
