Saanich dismisses chief administrative officer, search for replacement underway
The District of Saanich has fired its chief administrative officer and is now looking for an interim CAO to fill the role until a new council is elected next year.
The district announced the abrupt departure of CAO Paul Thorkelsson on Tuesday, saying in a statement that his dismissal was effective Monday, Nov. 29.
No reason was given for the decision.
Saanich Mayor Fred Haynes thanked Thorkelsson for his work, telling CTV News "it was the collective will of council to go in a new direction" and part ways with the CAO after nearly six years.
"This is a personal matter between our CAO, with his HR personal issues, and council," Haynes said Tuesday.
As CAO, Thorkelsson was one of the highest-earning municipal officials in the Greater Victoria region.
Haynes declined to discuss what it will cost Saanich taxpayers to replace the municipality's top executive.
The district has appointed Brent Reems, the municipality's director of building, bylaws and licensing, as acting CAO effective Dec. 6.
"Recruitment for an interim CAO will begin immediately," the district said in a statement. "The interim CAO will remain in the position until after the 2022 municipal election. The new council will be responsible for recruiting the permanent CAO."
In a statement posted to his Twitter account, Thorkelsson thanked the municipal staff for its support during his tenue.
"Council has decided to go in a new direction with the Chief Administrative Officer role," the brief statement said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
BREAKING 14 suspects arrested in grandparent scam targeting seniors across Canada: Ontario police
An interprovincial investigation into an 'emergency grandparents scam' that targeted seniors across Canada has led to the arrest of 14 suspects, Ontario Provincial Police say.
Motion to allow keffiyehs at Ontario legislature fails
A motion to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh within Queen’s Park failed to receive unanimous consent Thursday just moments after Ontario Premier Doug Ford reiterated his view that prohibiting the garment in the House is divisive.
B.C. child killer's lawyer walks out of review hearing
The lawyer representing child-killer Allan Schoenborn walked out of his client's annual review hearing Wednesday – abruptly ending proceedings marked by tense exchanges and several outbursts.
How to avoid the trap of becoming 'house poor'
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
Juror dismissed in Trump hush money trial as prosecutors ask for former president to face contempt
Prosecutors in the hush money trial of Donald Trump asked Thursday for the former president to be held in contempt and fined because of seven social media posts that they said violated a judge's gag order barring him from attacking witnesses.
Why drivers in Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada will see a gas price spike, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
It's the biggest election in history. Here's why few Indians in Canada will take part
In the Indian general election that gets underway on Friday, almost a billion people are eligible to vote, but a vast majority of the overseas Indian community in Canada won't be casting a ballot.