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Beyond the Smoke: Rethinking Victoria’s Leadership


Arthur McInnis
Sept 18, 2024

I am linking to a recent petition calling upon the Mayor to resign. While I support the call for the Mayor to resign, I cannot do so on the grounds outlined. The call relates principally to the suspension of Victoria firefighter, Josh Montgomery; in particular due to an open letter he wrote to Premier David Eby, expressing concerns about a new homeless services facility. The letter requested the Premier to block the facility’s opening due to safety concerns.

As I understand it the Mayor and the City Council were not directly involved in the suspension. The City clarified that the Mayor and Council have no role in the operational decisions of the Victoria Fire Department. The City’s position is that the suspension was a decision made within the Fire Department itself. Premier Eby has expressed his support for Montgomery, stating that no one should face consequences for writing to him and sharing community concerns. He has also reached out to the firefighters’ union to see if he can assist in appealing the decision.

So why the suspension? The exact reasons for the suspension have not been detailed but would reside in specific internal regulations of the Fire Department. Typically, suspensions involve policies related to their code of conduct, chain of command, or professionalism and public trust. Taking those in order fire departments often have strict codes of conduct that outline acceptable behaviour and communications, especially regarding public statements and interactions with the media or government officials. Chain of command regulations would require firefighters to follow the chain of command and seek approval before making public statements or addressing concerns outside the department. Professionalism and public trust ensure that firefighters maintain professionalism and uphold public trust, which can include restrictions on publicly criticizing department decisions or city policies. Imagine three years hence if there were a fire in one of these homeless services facilities involving loss of life, would the Victoria Fire Department want to have to defend its response with the Montgomery concerns on the record?

No one is more in favour of calling for the Mayor’s resignation than me but let’s call for it on better grounds. While the suspension of Josh Montgomery has garnered significant attention, it’s crucial to recognize that there are more substantial issues at play in our city’s governance. The Mayor’s leadership should be evaluated based on a broader spectrum of decisions, policies, and their impact on the community.

For instance, we should scrutinize the Mayor’s track record on addressing pressing challenges such as affordable housing, urban development, environmental sustainability, and economic growth. These are areas where concrete actions and measurable outcomes can provide a more comprehensive basis for assessing leadership effectiveness.

Moreover, transparency in decision-making processes, responsiveness to community concerns, and the ability to foster collaboration among diverse stakeholders are essential qualities of effective municipal leadership. Any call for resignation should be grounded in a thorough analysis of how well Mayor Alto has fulfilled these fundamental responsibilities. It’s also worth considering the Mayor’s long-term vision for the city and her ability to navigate political landscapes to achieve meaningful progress. Has the Mayor been able to secure funding for critical projects? Has the Mayor successfully represented our city’s interests at higher levels of government?

My answer to this question is an emphatic “no” and Bayview is Exhibit number 1.

In conclusion, while the Montgomery case has sparked debate, it should not be the sole or primary basis for evaluating and roundly critiquing the Mayor’s performance. A more holistic approach, considering a wide range of factors and long-term impacts, would provide a much stronger and more justifiable foundation for a call for change in leadership.

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See also:

https://www.change.org/p/resign-marianne-alto-mayor-s-actions-jeopardize-victoria-s-safety-and-accountability

Index of articles, letters, and other material in regards to the Bayview/Roundhouse Property in Vic West. – CRD Watch Homepage