Skip to content

New petition calls for support for CAO, mayor’s resignation

Change.org petition alleges administrator has been dealing with ‘unconscionable workplace violence’
8055284_web1_Nanaimo_City_Hall_3_WEB

A new petition says it’s time for council to acknowledge alleged violence against chief administrative officer Tracy Samra and time for an official apology by municipal leadership and the resignation of Mayor Bill McKay.

The petition, launched Wednesday on Change.org, claims the CAO, an indigenous woman, has been dealing with “unconscionable workplace violence enacted by some Nanaimo political leadership in her work,” and the hostility “reflects broader legacies of racism and sexism that shape Canada’s long history of colonization.”

It references an alleged assault against Samra and claims she’s subjected to repeated efforts to destroy her reputation as she carries out her duties as the CAO.

“In this time of national reconciliation, we expect municipal governments to treat all Indigenous peoples with respect and dignity. This includes Indigenous employees carrying out the work of municipal entities,” it says.

In social media posts, the petition’s creator Zoe Todd says she’s Samra’s cousin and urges people to consider signing and sharing. There were 330 supporters as of Thursday afternoon.

“The right-wing blogs have been able to garner hundreds of signature for their petition against her. I’d like to show that it’s possible to counter their hate,” she wrote.

The News Bulletin has not been able to reach Todd or Samra for comment.

Mayor Bill McKay told the News Bulletin while he believes the petition is well meaning, it is incorrect in its facts. It says Samra endured a physical assault in her place of work. A video of an alleged assault between Samra and former coun. Wendy Pratt was released last month, and McKay said he understands it’s seven seconds of a two-hour meeting and the fact “somebody batted a phone out of her hand, I don’t know if I would consider that to be assault.

“Apparently the Crown believes it is, so we need to get that straight,” he said.

McKay said he has not seen examples of racism in the workplace and said a recent report based on a respectful workplace complaint by Samra does not conclude there’s harassment and violence against her.

“It states in here [the petition] that it’s time for council to act upon the legacy of violence against indigenous women in Canada and to acknowledge violence Ms. Samra has endured in her duties as Nanaimo’s CAO; I’ve not seen anything that’s suggested that Ms. Samra has experienced violence in the workplace,” he said.

Council met Wednesday in-camera to discuss the consultants’ report about Samra’s complaint and another meeting is scheduled for Monday, according to the mayor.

The effort to collect signatures comes on the heels of another petition that launched earlier this week, giving the CAO, mayor and council an ultimatum to get along or resign. It’s garnered 263 supporters so far.

To see the petition, visit goo.gl/x1EYvd.