Latest news with #Neron
Vancouver Sun
20-07-2025
- Vancouver Sun
'Toxic environment' and favouritism plague RCMP watchdog, review finds
An independent assessment of the RCMP watchdog, prompted by an anonymous email from employees, uncovered concerns about favouritism, a lack of transparency, heavy workloads and 'a toxic environment.' The workplace assessment of the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the RCMP found 'a clear call for change and action at the leadership level to restore credibility and trust within the organization.' The Canadian Press recently obtained a copy of the May 2024 assessment, almost six months after filing an Access to Information request with Public Safety Canada, which ordered the report. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. The Ottawa-based review commission is an independent agency created by Parliament to ensure public complaints about the conduct of RCMP members are examined fairly and impartially. Public Safety hired independent workplace investigator Robert Neron for the assessment after receiving an October 2023 email from review commission employees fearful of signing their names due to the watchdog's small size. In a June 2024 note to Public Safety summarizing his findings, Neron said the anonymous email had alleged the review commission was in total disarray because of a lack of leadership from the commission chairperson. Michelaine Lahaie was serving in the role at that time. Neron's summary, heavily redacted before release under the access law, rejected the pointed allegation against the chairperson — a conclusion he reached after interviewing commission employees, including Lahaie, and circulating a detailed questionnaire to staff. Neron found employees generally felt engaged with their work and that most believed leadership treated them fairly and provided constructive feedback. However, some staff expressed serious concerns. The report says a significant number felt overwhelmed by their workloads, causing stress and making them less satisfied with their jobs. It cites a 'notable communication gap' between the leadership and staff, with many employees saying organizational messaging was too infrequent and lacked clarity and consistency. The report says feedback from employees on methods of resolving conflict was mixed, 'with a distinct portion of the workforce feeling unsupported.' There were also multiple complaints of 'a toxic work environment' due to the behaviour and practices of leadership. 'The staff expresses a strong desire to address and resolve this toxic environment,' the report says. 'They seek an anonymous reporting system to report workplace misconduct, especially involving senior managers.' Employees also wanted additional support for mental health issues and a more compassionate means of accommodating staff needs. Many employees said supervisors and team managers should have more autonomy over decisions about investigative outcomes and allowing people to work remotely, the report adds. 'They believe some current leaders lack the necessary skills and hold positions due to favouritism.' The questionnaire, distributed to current and recently departed employees, revealed a consensus that the commission lacked vision, strategy and a cohesive plan for its future, the report says. 'Respondents feel there are no opportunities to discuss the broader mission or innovate.' The report makes several recommendations to improve employee well-being and promote stronger leadership at the commission. 'In our view, addressing these concerns is crucial to fostering a more inclusive, equitable and productive organizational culture,' Neron said in his letter last year to Public Safety. 'Employees' experiences demonstrate an urgent need for reforms in organizational management to address these issues.' Following completion of Neron's report, Public Safety took steps to help Lahaie communicate the findings to commission staff and implement the various recommendations, the records released under the access law show. Lahaie, a military veteran, was appointed chairperson of the complaints commission for a five-year term in 2019. Her tenure was later extended through early this year. Employees' experiences demonstrate an urgent need for reforms in organizational management to address these issues The chairperson's job has been vacant since January and Lahaie is now vice-chairperson at Tribunals Ontario, a provincial government agency. Lahaie declined to comment on the workplace assessment, citing restrictions related to her new position. The review commission has put in place several initiatives to bolster employee well-being following the assessment, said Public Safety spokesperson Tim Warmington. The measures include better availability of wellness information on the organization's intranet and presentations to staff on stress resilience, conflict management and employee assistance, Warmington said in an emailed response to questions. The review commission's mandate is set to expand to cover the activities of the Canada Border Services Agency as well as the RCMP. Legislation establishing the Public Complaints and Review Commission received royal assent last year, though it is unclear when the new agency will be up and running. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
National Post
20-07-2025
- Politics
- National Post
'Toxic environment' and favouritism plague RCMP watchdog, review finds
An independent assessment of the RCMP watchdog, prompted by an anonymous email from employees, uncovered concerns about favouritism, a lack of transparency, heavy workloads and 'a toxic environment.' Article content The workplace assessment of the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the RCMP found 'a clear call for change and action at the leadership level to restore credibility and trust within the organization.' Article content Article content The Canadian Press recently obtained a copy of the May 2024 assessment, almost six months after filing an Access to Information request with Public Safety Canada, which ordered the report. Article content Article content The Ottawa-based review commission is an independent agency created by Parliament to ensure public complaints about the conduct of RCMP members are examined fairly and impartially. Article content In a June 2024 note to Public Safety summarizing his findings, Neron said the anonymous email had alleged the review commission was in total disarray because of a lack of leadership from the commission chairperson. Article content Michelaine Lahaie was serving in the role at that time. Article content Neron's summary, heavily redacted before release under the access law, rejected the pointed allegation against the chairperson — a conclusion he reached after interviewing commission employees, including Lahaie, and circulating a detailed questionnaire to staff. Article content Article content Neron found employees generally felt engaged with their work and that most believed leadership treated them fairly and provided constructive feedback. Article content Article content The report says a significant number felt overwhelmed by their workloads, causing stress and making them less satisfied with their jobs. Article content It cites a 'notable communication gap' between the leadership and staff, with many employees saying organizational messaging was too infrequent and lacked clarity and consistency. Article content The report says feedback from employees on methods of resolving conflict was mixed, 'with a distinct portion of the workforce feeling unsupported.' Article content There were also multiple complaints of 'a toxic work environment' due to the behaviour and practices of leadership. Article content 'The staff expresses a strong desire to address and resolve this toxic environment,' the report says. 'They seek an anonymous reporting system to report workplace misconduct, especially involving senior managers.'
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Oregon Rep. Courtney Neron appointed to Senate
Rep. Courtney Neron , D-Wilsonville, at the Oregon Legislature on Feb. 12, 2024. (Jordan Gale/Oregon Capital Chronicle) State Rep. Courtney Neron, D-Wilsonville, will move to the Oregon Senate after county commissioners tapped her to finish the remainder of Sen. Aaron Woods' term. Neron's appointment, at the end of a nearly two-hour meeting with Clackamas, Washington and Yamhill county commissioners Wednesday evening, comes after Woods' April death from cancer. It will trigger a new appointment process for someone who will finish her House term. Both Neron and whoever replaces her in the state House will serve until January of 2027, with the ability to run for a full term in 2026. Neron was local Democratic officials' top choice for the appointment and beat out energy consultant Dave Backen and Tigard City Councilor Jeanette Shaw. Backen also threw his support behind Neron while speaking to commissioners, saying she was the best person for the position. Neron is in her fourth term in the House and chairs the House Education Committee. She grew up in Metzger and Tigard, attended and taught at Tigard High School and is raising her family in Wilsonville. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Oregon Rep. Courtney Neron seeks Senate appointment
Rep. Courtney Neron , D-Wilsonville, at the Oregon Legislature on Feb. 12, 2024. (Jordan Gale/Oregon Capital Chronicle) State Rep. Courtney Neron, D-Wilsonville, hopes to jump to the Senate after her seatmate's death from cancer earlier this month. Neron, who is in her fourth term in the House and chairs the House Education Committee, announced her interest in an appointment to finish Sen. Aaron Woods' term on Monday. 'Over the past week, I've had many conversations reflecting on Senator Woods' life of service and the values he carried into every space he entered,' Neron said in a statement. 'I had the privilege of working alongside him in the Legislature, where I witnessed his steady leadership, thoughtful approach, and commitment to equity and good governance. Senator Woods led with heart and humility, and I am committed to carrying forward his legacy of care and service to our constituents in Senate District 13.' Her Wilsonville-based House district makes up half of the 13th Senate District Woods represented. House Majority Leader Ben Bowman, D-Tigard, represents the other half of the district and has endorsed Neron, calling her a fierce advocate for the community. 'She will hit the ground running in the Senate,' Bowman said. 'We have worked together on housing, transportation, and education policies that matter to our communities, and I look forward to her partnership as a senator.' Neron's roots in the district run deep. She grew up in Metzger and Tigard, attended and later taught at Tigard High School and is raising her family in Wilsonville. 'It would be my great honor to serve the very neighborhoods in the state Senate where I rode my bike as a child,' Neron said. Local Democratic party officials will meet Sunday to choose nominees to finish Woods' Senate term, which expires in January 2027. The final choice will be made by county commissioners from Clackamas, Washington and Yamhill counties. The appointee must be a Democrat who lives within the Senate district. Along with Neron, energy consultant Dave Backen and event planner Andrew Stiffler are seeking the nomination, according to the state Democratic party. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
