Head of Quebec CEGEP created toxic workplace, psychologically harassed others, tribunal hears

The campus director for Champlain College Lennoxville is at the centre of a slew of psychological harassment, nepotism and conflict-of-interest allegations from current and former senior employees, CBC News has learned.

Nancy Beattie is the subject of ongoing hearings at the Tribunal administratif du travail, Quebec's labour tribunal.

Four people who reported to Beattie at the college have testified under oath against her, including one person who is the plaintiff in the case.

None of the people who testified at the tribunal — including Beattie — agreed to speak on the record. Through the tribunal, CBC News was able to obtain nine days of recorded testimony that was recorded in January, February and earlier this month. No judgement has been rendered.

During the hearings, several current and former employees at the college — which is located in the Lennoxville borough of Sherbrooke, Que., said the working environment there makes it difficult to perform their jobs and has affected their physical and mental health.

"It's the worst working environment I have ever seen in my career of over 30 years," testified Cindy Rivest, the manager of auxiliary services at the college.

"The minute you question something, you know your job is in jeopardy."

Catherine Gingras broke down sobbing while describing the toxic work environment and her unease in testifying. She was the Lennoxville campus's human resources manager at the time of her testimony.

"It's intimidating," she told the tribunal. 

"I love my job but with everything that I have said, how could you expect me to stay employed at the college now?"

Champlain College Lennoxville is one of three campuses under Champlain Regional College.

CBC News examined the college administration's organizational charts. Excluding faculty, of the 36 people listed as working in administration in Lennoxville as of July 2020, only 20 remained as of September. Out of those 20 employees, seven are on leave.

Gingras is no longer listed as an employee on that chart.

CBC has also obtained thousands of pages of documents through an access-to-information request. They were submitted over the course of the proceedings, containing allegations against Beattie and her husband Daniel Poitras. Poitras is also the co-ordinator of administrative services, which includes managing campus finances.