Victoria mayor denies involvement in firefighter's suspension

The mayor of Victoria, B.C., says she was not involved in the one-day suspension without pay of a firefighter over a letter to the premier outlining his concerns about a new homeless drop-in centre in his neighbourhood and the city's response to the homeless crisis. 

At a news conference Friday morning, the mayor spoke out against the allegations.

"I had nothing to do with any decisions made by the fire department, either operationally or with regard to personnel," said Mayor Marianne Alto. 

"Nor would I. I have absolute confidence in the leadership of the fire department, as I do in the leadership of the city, to make whatever decisions they feel necessary in the best interest of the city."

B.C. Conservative Party candidate for Victoria Beacon-Hill, Tim Thielmann, first posted the allegations on X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday. 

Thielmann said firefighter Josh Montgomery was unable to attend a town hall Thielmann was hosting because he had been disciplined for sending the letter in mid-July. 

"It was a chilling retaliation for somebody who should be free to speak about the safety concerns that he has as a father," Thielmann told CBC News. 

"This site is 100 feet from the front yard where his two young daughters play."

Thielman accused the mayor and premier's offices of interfering in the matter and has called for an investigation into what triggered the suspension.

On Thursday, the union representing Victoria's firefighters confirmed that Montgomery was disciplined for sharing his opinions in the letter, but it's unclear what code of conduct violation he is accused of. 

"He was suspended without pay for one day. That day is Friday, Aug. 16," said union president Jeremy Wilson in a written statement.

"There is a process to be followed under the collective agreement, and that has been initiated."

Outspoken critic

Montgomery has been an outspoken critic of the new homeless drop-in centre, which the city announced in mid-June.

It will be operated by the SOLID Outreach Society. The city is supporting it with up to $1.8 million in operating funds, as well as a grant of $300,000 to help SOLID acquire the property at 2155 Dowler Place. The location is a semi-industrial neighbourhood near the highway and close to downtown.

In the letter, Montgomery says the city's plan to open the facility is "outrageous."

"We, the residents, were not given a chance to hear why the City of Victoria believes relocating services for the drug-addicted and substance users into a residential neighbourhood with children playing next door is a choice that keeps people safe and protects citizens from harm."

Premier responds

On Friday, Premier David Eby told reporters that, if the allegations are true, he hopes the fire department reverses its decision to suspend Montgomery.

"If it's the case that this firefighter was disciplined for writing a letter to the premier about an issue of significant importance for him and his community, that can't stand," Eby said. 

"It's vital for me to be able to do my job as premier, that people can reach out, share information with me and not face discipline for it. So if that's the case, I think he should get his back pay back."

Alto said she was displeased by the premier's response. 

"I'm extremely disappointed that any provincial premier would feel it appropriate or necessary to make a comment on what is clearly an operational personnel matter of a local government," she said.

Unusual case: employment lawyer

Employment lawyer Eric Pedersen says the case is unusual. 

"It's difficult to discipline or suspend an employee in a unionized workplace without having just cause," he said.

"[The] collective agreement doesn't typically have provisions in it as to what you can and can't do outside of work and what you can and can't say outside of work."

Pedersen also noted that uniform-wearing police officers and firefighters are often subject to higher standards for public conduct.

"I think it often comes down to the manner in which the employees conducting themselves, not so much the fact that they're engaging in political speech outside of the workplace," he said.

Help for homeless 'cannot wait': mayor

At the time the new facility was announced, the mayor said providing people who have an addiction with help and reducing the impact on the community "cannot wait." 

"This is a door we haven't opened before. We're taking risks for municipal involvement, and we do so with eyes wide open," she told media at the time.

"We can't continue to wait for someone else to do the job. Every Victorian here deserves our support."

Like many municipalities across B.C., Victoria has been struggling with a growing homeless population, many centred around social service agencies along Pandora Avenue, a few blocks away from Dowler Place. 

The facility will provide drop-in services, such as access to outreach workers, health care and food.