Holyrood council dismisses complaints

By Mark Squibb

The Town of Holyrood has investigated and dismissed four code of conduct complaints against staff and one member of council.

The first complaint was filed on December 18, 2025, and alleged a breach of the code by two staff members in accordance with their response to a residential inquiry.

The second complaint was filed on January 1, 2026, and alleged a breach of the code by two staff members in accordance with their duties.

A third complaint was filed on March 6 and alleged a breach of the code by two staff members and a council member in accordance with their response to a residential inquiry.

The fourth and final complaint was filed on March 12 and alleged a breach of the code by two staff members and a council member in accordance with their response to a residential inquiry.

Nobody from the Town responded by press time to an inquiry from The Shoreline for more details as to how many people made the complaints, or whether one person made all the complaints.

The Town sought legal help regarding the complaints, and on March 30 council held a private meeting with lawyers to discuss them. It was at that meeting the decision to dismiss the complaints was made.

Council formally dismissed the complaints during last week’s public council meeting.

There was no formal discussion on the matter during the meeting, except that councillor Steve Winsor raised it during the close of the session.

The councillor made a point to say he had full confidence in Town staff.

“From what I’ve seen over the last five years, very detailed files are kept, all matters of communication are passed along to us as committee members and councillors, they’re transparent, very professional, and follow the process,” said Winsor.

He also applauded Deputy Mayor Michele Woodford for her role in the investigation.

“I think you did a very good job,” said Winsor. “Attention to detail, highly professional, we engaged the right professional people for guidance and advice, whether that be legal and the officials at Municipal Affairs, so everything was done very professionally and very appropriately.”

Winsor then shifted his attention towards the folks who made the complaints.

“The public need to understand that there is a process, and a way to appeal or communicate with the Town and the staff if there is a decision that you disagree with, or you feel there may have been an oversight or mistake made,” said Winsor. “Code of conduct complaints are not the appropriate channel for any of that. And that’s all I have to say.”

Deputy Mayor Woodford said Winsor’s comments were very well put, and with that, the meeting came to close.