Colchester mayor promises overview of Truro community centre controversy
CBC
The Municipality of Colchester is promising more information about its decision to change management of the Rath Eastlink Community Centre in Truro, N.S., as questions mount.
The recreation facility is jointly owned by the county and the Town of Truro. In October, an operating agreement with the Central Nova Scotia Civic Centre Society was terminated by the Municipality of Colchester council.
On Thursday, Mayor Christine Blair told reporters an overview of what has happened at the civic centre and what's to happen next could come as early as next week.
“We will be giving a clear picture on what has actually happened at the RECC. There's a lot of misinformation out there. There are some disingenuous allegations. There's all kinds of speculation,” Blair said outside of council chambers.
Multiple sources have told CBC News that society CEO Matt Moore filed a harassment complaint against Blair. They said the society's board was dismissed in May in the midst of an investigation, and the interim board also launched an investigation.
Moore did not return a request for comment sent to his personal lawyer, while Blair said she wouldn't comment on any complaint publicly.
On top of an alleged harassment complaint, questions are swirling in the community, with some writing to the Department of Municipal Affairs. On Thursday, Minister John A. MacDonald told reporters that staff are reviewing the complaints.
On Friday, building namesake Stu Rath told CBC News that he and his son Duane Rath wrote to the department and three area MLAs about the situation. He declined to provide a copy of the letter or an interview.
The 82-year-old businessman said he was upset and “waiting to see” what would come of correspondence with the province.
The Raths contributed $1 million toward the facility, which boasts an NHL-sized rink, a swimming pool, rock-climbing wall and fitness centre.
At an annual general meeting in October, the 12-year-old building was said to be in need of a new heating and cooling system, as well as roof repairs to address ongoing leaks.
The board was also making a list of what other repairs are needed, including to change room showers, exercise equipment and the pool score clock.
Blair said the municipal owners are looking at the condition of the facility and bringing in an engineer. She insisted that day-to-day operation of the RECC would not be affected by the governance transition.
“We'll be looking at our options. We'll be looking at what the next steps are,” said Blair.
The federal government is stoking Quebec separatism by walking back its climate commitments — including in its recent deal with Alberta — Liberal MP and former cabinet minister Steven Guilbeault says.
Four more Alberta MLAs are facing recall petitions organized by their constituents, including the first NDP representative to be caught in the province's ongoing wave of recall efforts.
Frank Gehry, the Canadian-born renegade architect behind some of the world's most recognizable buildings, has died at 96.
Hundreds of P.E.I. parents can't find child-care spaces, especially for infants. The provincial government says expanding those spots remains a top priority — and it recognizes the concern.
An Alberta judge says a referendum proposal on Alberta separating from Canada goes against Charter and and Treaty rights, in a decision given less than 24 hours after the provincial government introduced legislation that would have ended the court proceeding.
The architect of Alberta's politician recall legislation says it was never meant to be used as a political weapon, but as an "ultimate tool of accountability" if a politician engages in illegal or unethical behaviour.
The Government of Saskatchewan has introduced its long-promised involuntary treatment legislation on the final day of the fall sitting.
The Law Society of Ontario has suspended the licence of Deepak Paradkar, one of seven Canadians arrested in connection with alleged drug lord Ryan Wedding’s cocaine smuggling ring.
London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) is getting rid of unlimited mental health benefits for staff, blaming ballooning costs and former administrators for implementing it without proper due diligence or oversight.
Netflix has agreed to buy Warner Bros. Discovery's TV and film studios and streaming division for $72 billion US, a deal that would hand control of one of Hollywood's most prized and oldest assets to the streaming pioneer that has upended the media industry.
CBC Calgary kicks off its annual Make the Season Kind campaign this morning at Fratello Coffee Roasters.
CBC Newfoundland and Labrador is kicking off its annual holiday campaign, helping to raise money to support local food banks.
If all goes according to plan, at 6 a.m. AT on Saturday people working at the IWK Health Centre will become the test case for a generational change to Nova Scotia’s health-care system.