Frustrated Victoria mayor says she had no involvement in firefighter suspension

The City of Victoria held a press conference Friday morning to address the suspension of a local firefighter who penned an open letter to Premier David Eby about first responder safety and social service centre locations.

Victoria’s Mayor Marianne Alto, who arrived about 10 minutes late to the conference, immediately outlined three points regarding the situation and accused Premier Eby of using it to bolster his reputation ahead of the fall election.

“First of all, I will say that I am extremely disappointed that any provincial Premier would feel it would be appropriate or necessary to make a comment on what is clearly an operational personal matter of a local government. Particularly, as I believe he has said since he is not in complete possession of the facts,” said Alto.

Alto went on to reassure the public that she had no involvement in the firefighter’s suspension, stating it was beyond her expertise and expressing full confidence in the fire department’s leadership to make necessary decisions.

She then continued on to address the statement made by Premier, accusing him of using situations like this to “advance their own ambitions and self-aggrandise their capacity in seeking public office, which I believe to be a very high calling.”

The media on-site then questioned Alto, pressing her on who made the decision to suspend the firefighter, but she continued to state she did not know.

Alto explained that a formal process is followed for discussions about operations and personnel, adding that she was not part of that process and would not reveal who was involved, including whether or not any city officials were.

Alto also said she was only just recently briefed on the matter, due to the fact it had become public after being brought to the media’s attention.

Throughout the conference, media continued to grill Alto on whether or not any City of Victoria officials were involved, in which she could not confirm nor deny, stating its not a part of her responsibility.

Alto was then questioned about censorship and optics of the situation, in which she stated “everyone has the capacity to express their opinion, but that opinion has to be informed by facts.”

She would not comment on whether or not she supported the suspension, but said she must have confidence in those making such decisions.

Alto also added that the firefighter had the right to comment, but would not address the open letter specifically.

Community members then joined the questioning, expressing frustration over the City’s lack of availability to address concerns and unresponsive emails.

Alto responded stating that the North Park Neighbourhood Association was given contact information for someone associated with her office, who had previously provided information.

She then offered the opportunity for community members to connect with her directly, but another member interjected, stating they had already tried that and received no response.

Alto then said they could readdress this later at a further North Park Neighbourhood Association meeting.

The firefighter in question is Scott Montgomery, who serves as a firefighter with Victoria. His letter to Eby voiced concerns about the safety of first responders and the location of social service centres in Victoria neighbourhoods.

Montgomery was vocal about the risks posed to first responders in areas like the 900-block of Pandora Avenue, where issues related to homelessness, addiction, and mental health challenges are prevalent.

The firefighter had also participated in a protest at Victoria City Hall last month, objecting to the city’s role in establishing a new facility at 2155 Dowler Place.

See also: Here’s the open letter to David Eby that got a Victoria firefighter suspended

The City of Victoria announced that the Dowler site will provide various services aimed at reducing the impacts of homelessness, including food support, overdose prevention, healthcare, and more. However, Montgomery, along with other concerned citizens, expressed apprehensions about the potential impact on neighbourhood safety.

On Thursday, the union representing Montgomery, Local 730 of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), issued a statement to clarify the situation.

“There has been misinformation that has been circulated amongst the public regarding employment matters with one of our members. Local 730 can confirm that a member, Josh Montgomery, was disciplined for his opinions shared in a letter to Premier Eby,” said the union’s president, Jeremy Wilson.

“He was suspended without pay for 1 day. That day is Friday, August 16th. There is a process to be followed under the collective agreement and that has been initiated.”

Following the media attention, Premier David Eby released the following statement:

“As Premier, I need to hear from people in order to do my job, and I thank the firefighter for writing to me about his front-line perspective. I want to hear from front-line workers, first responders, and any member of the public who wants to share what they are seeing in their communities. No one should face consequences for writing to me and if that’s the reason he was sanctioned, then he deserves an apology and back-pay from the person responsible.”

“I’ve asked staff to follow up with the firefighter’s union to see if there’s anything I can do to support. First responders do heroic work in our communities. I will always stand firm in supporting the work they do to keep us all safe,” added Eby.