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CBC
an hour ago
- CBC
'We're not doing our job': Richmond councillors push for more oversight of Olympic Oval
Social Sharing The controversy over Richmond's Olympic Oval continues to go around and around — but there could soon be clarity on its future. "We need to do our job, and we're not doing our job as councillors," said Coun. Bill McNulty at a meeting this week, criticizing his fellow councillors for not providing enough oversight, and the managers of the Olympic Oval for a lack of communication with the city. The Oval, which was built for the 2010 Olympics for speedskating, is fully owned and operated by the city, but has been managed and overseen by an arms-length corporation. The city has historically provided between $3 million and $4 million a year, around 20 per cent of the Oval's operating revenue, with the rest coming from program fees and an Olympic trust fund given to facilities that continue to operate as performance and training venues. But over the last 18 months, the Oval has faced a tumultuous time in the aftermath of its longtime CEO leaving. Council quickly moved to replace its former board, there were several stories critical of previous expenses, and is now the city is auditing the Oval's overall operations. The meeting this week ended with council approving a motion put forward by Coun. Kash Heed that would cap the money given by the City of Richmond to the Oval at $2.5 million next year, along with a staff review of whether the Oval should be directly overseen by the city, similar to community centres across the region. The motion will need to be approved at a full council meeting next Monday. Outgoing CEO receives around $1 million for 2 years' work At the centre of the controversy is a retired staff member who ran both the City of Richmond and the Oval for many years — George Duncan. In 2022, Duncan retired as Richmond's chief administrative officer after more than two decades on the job and received nearly $275,788 in benefits and compensation above his base salary for his final year. While that level of retirement compensation is not unheard of for a senior staffer in Metro Vancouver, he stayed on as CEO of the Oval and was given a new contract with a salary paid for by the Oval. WATCH | Richmond Olympic Oval under microscope: Richmond, B.C., councillors want more oversight of Olympic Oval 7 hours ago Duration 2:31 It's one of Metro Vancouver's biggest Olympic legacies, but Richmond, B.C., politicians are now asking tough questions about how the Olympic Oval has been run. It is fully owned by the city, but as Justin McElroy reports, there are questions about who it benefits, and the benefits given to its former CEO. But he retired from that role just two years later, departing in July 2024. While both Duncan and the Oval called it a planned departure, he received an additional $372,991 in benefits and additional compensation for those six months of work, in addition to $209,249 in base salary. A spokesperson for the Oval said it couldn't comment "as this is a personnel matter," and Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie said the city's hands were tied. "The Oval board, which is a separate corporate board, they ratified that arrangement," he said. "So while I do think that they are subject to review and we need to examine them further, it was a mutual parting as agreed." However, that arrangement has rankled many councillors, who have pointed to it as evidence of the need to change the hands-off relationship with the Oval, even after changing the members on the board. "Mr. Duncan was very good at writing contracts, and his … board made sure that those things were approved," said Coun. Carol Day. "The [new] board that we have put in place the last two years is doing a phenomenal job, and I would encourage them to become part of … the board for the new community centre, which would be part of the City of Richmond." High performance or community centre? Beyond the governance of the Oval exists a separate question about its primary focus: whether to be a hub for high-performance athletes or essentially a large community centre. "All the other community centres, for $29, you have open access for the entire summer. That just doesn't happen here, it's only for the elite," said Day. "I think that sends a very bad message to people who aren't rich and famous." But Coun. Alexa Loo, who was council's liaison to the Oval for many years and competed in snowboarding in the 2010 Olympics, said changing its focus could risk losing Olympics-related funding for the facility. "If we're keen to keep that funding … and provide opportunities for Richmond athletes to make it to the Olympics and to achieve their dreams, then we have to continue down the road of still having some high performance," she said. "I'd love to say that the Richmond Olympic Oval is a very special place." Though what that place could look like, and be operated as, in the future is currently a big question mark. "It's not healthy, and if you think it is, you've got your head shaken … we are the buck here — not the board," said McNulty. "I think that direction is needed to make some changes to all facilities so that they're available to Richmond residents."
CBC
an hour ago
- CBC
Halifax's top bureaucrat says she is retiring
Halifax's chief administrative officer has told council she intends to retire, a move that comes after a tenure of less than three years as the municipality's top bureaucrat. In an interview, Cathie O'Toole said the job of CAO is a rewarding but demanding one. While she has enjoyed the work, she said she has "paid my dues" in municipal public service. She said she will likely leave in October, about mid-way into her five-year contract. Her impending departure comes as Mayor Andy Fillmore publicly stated this week he is concerned about how much power within the municipal operation is "concentrated with an unelected CAO." The mayor said he believes changes to Halifax's governance system are needed and he has had informal discussions with the provincial government about greater mayoral powers. O'Toole said the "strong mayors" discussion was not a reason for her retirement decision. She said she has a good working relationship with the mayor and has been considering retirement since April. She started in her role as CAO in January 2023, after a four-year stint as the general manager of the municipally owned utility Halifax Water. She has also served as the director of finance for the municipality. In a letter to municipal employees sent Wednesday night, she said: "What stands out for me most are the instances of extraordinary pressure and teamwork where Halifax and Halifax Water employees have risen to the challenge, and also some of the innovative changes that have been made to service delivery over the years to the benefit of the residents we serve."
National Post
an hour ago
- National Post
Bell: A no-nonsense Poilievre pulls no punches and stands his ground
Federal Conservative party Leader Pierre Poilievre waves to the crowds during the Calgary Stampede parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. Gavin Young/Postmedia THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS Enjoy the latest local, national and international news. Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events. Unlimited online access to National Post. National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE ARTICLES Enjoy the latest local, national and international news. Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events. Unlimited online access to National Post. National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors 'How do I feel? Are you my shrink or what?' Pierre Poilievre, the Conservative leader, was asked how he feels. After all, conservatives had so much hope. Finally, they could see the defeat of the Liberals. We all know the rest of the story. 'We've got to get back on our horse, get back in the saddle and gallop forward. That's all you can do. We made a lot of gains. We came very close,' says Poilievre. What are conservative voters telling him? Your guide to the world of Canadian politics. (Subscriber exclusive on Saturdays) By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again 'Keep going. Keep going. Don't give up.' Poilievre points to the more than 8 million Canadians who supported him and the Conservatives in the recent election. 'The countless young people who showed up at rallies in tears because their lives are falling apart. Who want to start families but can't get out of their parents' basement or who can't get a job because the job market is flooded with low-paid temporary foreign workers. 'The middle-class families who literally work non-stop and can't pay their bills. These people put their faith in me and I have to fight for them. I have to deliver for them.' What does the Conservative leader say to those critics who say he has to change his tone or soften his image or water down his convictions? 'We won the debate on all the issues. We won the debate by submission. They submitted. They tapped out on the issues,' he says, speaking of Prime Minister Mark Carney and the Liberals. 'It's not me saying we won the debate. It's the Liberals who admit we won the debate.' 'First they said Poilievre has no policies. Then they said he's got policies but they're terrifying, they're so wild and extreme. Then they said we agree with Poilievre on everything. 'They can do that all in one sentence. It's incredible.' He lists wins on the carbon tax, housing, crime, immigration, inflation, drugs, natural resources. 'On every single one of those issues we were proven right. I get a laugh out of it when people say we have to change our policies. If our policies were so unpopular the Liberals wouldn't be clamoring to pretend they agree with them.' Now Carney is in charge. What is the difference between him and former prime minister Justin Trudeau? Poilievre thinks for a minute.
