Public Statement
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Qualicum Beach—In December 2020, Councillor Robert Filmer publicly announced he was taking a two-month leave from Council. In his statements to media, Councillor Filmer indicated his leave was a result of what he believed to be age and sexual orientation discrimination.
 
Harassment, bullying and/or discrimination of any kind is a serious matter and must not be tolerated in the workplace, at any level of government or in society as a whole. It is Council’s fundamental belief that the strongest communities are ones that are diverse in thinking and in membership. Based on that belief, the Town of Qualicum Beach immediately initiated a third-party investigation into Councillor Filmer’s concerns. The goal was to independently and impartially examine the allegations through a series of interviews, a review of written evidence, video evidence, policy and law. That investigation has now concluded. 
 
The investigation has determined that there is no evidence of discrimination, bullying or harassment as described by policy or law. However, it also concludes that communication has been strained and misunderstandings have been prevalent between Council members over the past two years.
 
Mayor Wiese, and Councillors Filmer, Harrison and Westbroek unanimously voted at an in-camera meeting on February 8, 2021 to issue this Public Statement, including a release of the attached summary of Findings, and encouraged Councillor Filmer to provide a public apology. We welcome the return of Councillor Filmer to serving the people of Qualicum Beach. Click here to view the Findings from Innova Strategy Group.
 

Respectfully,
Mayor Brian Wiese