UPDATE: This story has been updated to reflect more accurate information.
The City of Moose Jaw has paid a Toronto law firm more than $228,000 during the past six years to help with labour relations issues over disputes with the fire department.
City administration recently provided city council with an update about how much money had been paid to Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP, a labour and employment law firm from Ontario. Coun. Brian Swanson initially inquired about how much money had been paid out at the Oct. 15 regular council meeting.
The City of Moose Jaw hired the law firm in 2016 to handle labour relations board (LRB) disputes, followed by other disputes over the next three years.
According to city administration’s report, the law firm was paid:
- 2013: $2,361.70
- 2014: $66,078,28
- 2015: $18,254.10
- 2016: $30,644.06
- 2017: $2,417.10
- 2018: $105,815.01
- 2019-to-date: $3,220.88
- Total: $228,781.13
Research by city administration confirmed that the issue of a specialized fire protective services legal firm to assist the city was brought before the personnel committee on Jan. 14, 2013 and again on July 13, 2015, while the personnel committee provided “broad direction” to administration on July 27, 2015, explained city manager Jim Puffalt in the report.
“I was present at the personnel committee meetings at those times. As I stated before, we were only informed after the fact that this firm was engaged,” Swanson said. “I voiced my concerns previously.
“It is very dangerous territory for administration to take broad direction to expend up to $228,000,” he continued. “That’s why there are resolutions and motions that provide clear direction. For administration to be interpreting discussion and taking that as providing direction I think is very dangerous.”
The next regular council meeting is Nov. 25.
