Marni Fedeyko served notice to her colleagues at the regular Town of Cochrane council meeting Dec. 11 that she wants to make it easier for whistleblowers to come forward.
Coun. Fedeyko decided she wanted to postpone discussion on her notice of motion to the next regular council meeting in January.
If approved in January, her motion would direct administration to investigate the process for establishing a third party whistleblower program and policy, and identify next steps for implementation with a draft policy to be brought back to council for consideration by June 30, 2024.
There was no discussion of the whistleblower idea at the Monday meeting.
After asking for the postponement, Fedeyko briefly commented on the whistleblower program, which now will be the topic of a more fulsome discussion by the rest of council in January.
“I can’t understand why someone would not support a program like this, when we talk about how transparent we are, how we want to be accountable to people,” she said. “I just think it makes sense.”
Fedeyko told The Eagle after the meeting she asked for the postponement so the public has a chance to better understand the concept.
“I will educate the public in every way I can,” she added.
Her report said a third party whistleblower program and policy would allow for improved and accountable governance and provide a safe, confidential place for all town employees, service providers, and residents to report concerns of suspected waste, wrong doings, and issues or allegations that council has authority over.
“By creating a third party body to objectively investigate and research allegations without bias or undue influence, the whistleblower program and policy will create a safe environment for all,” her report reads. This program and policy will also further Council’s desire to support open, ethical, accountable, and transparent local government.”
Her proposed program would be managed by a third party committee or team that is not formed or part of town administration so that it remains absolutely confidential and unbiased at all times.
Earlier in the meeting Fedeyko voted against the 2024 Operating Budget, based not on what was contained in the documentation, but on what wasn’t.
Fedeyko has been outspoken in her criticisms of the last two budgets presented to council by the Town administration, calling repeatedly for more detailed information.
Council approved the 2024 – 2026 Operating Budget by a 4 to 3 margin. Councillors Tara McFadden and Morgan Nagel joined Fedeyko in voting against it, with Alex Reid, Patrick Wilson and Susan Flowers in favour.
Mayor Jeff Genung broke the deadlock when he cast his vote in favour.
