Edmonton councillor Jennifer Rice granted judicial review in harassment, discrimination case

An Edmonton city councillor is going to court against the City of Edmonton, and its integrity commissioner, in an effort to avoid a sanction hearing. 

Jennifer Rice, representing Ward Ipiihkoohkanipiaohtsi since 2021, was granted a judicial review by Justice John Henderson Wednesday morning at the Edmonton Law Courts.

The case concerns allegations from Rice’s former staff members that she bullied and demeaned them and created a toxic work environment inside city hall. 

Last November, Postmedia spoke to some of those employees, who also publicly accused her of being incompetent as a councillor. 

At the time, Mayor Amarjeet Sohi told reporters he was concerned about the situation and asked the city’s integrity commissioner, Jamie Pytel, to look into the matter. 

Pytel did, and according to documents obtained by Postmedia, substantiated four allegations of harassment and one allegation of discrimination against Rice. 

Rice’s lawyer, Janice Agrios, insists those findings are unreasonable. She also argued in court that the process was unfair and members of council who took part in it, including the mayor, were biased. 

Sohi denied those allegations Wednesday, saying whenever staff or councillors have brought similar issues to him, he’s always referred them to the appropriate official.

“As far as I understand, the investigation process is very impartial. There’s no influence whatsoever from council members or administration,” the mayor said.

Sohi insisted he couldn’t comment on Rice’s case because it’s now before the courts, but he defended the integrity commissioner process, saying it’s necessary to protect employees.

“As elected officials, we are held, and rightfully so, to the highest standard of behaviour. That is codified in the code of conduct and that is there for a reason, and we need to adhere to that,” Sohi said.

Agrios said in court that if the findings of Pytel’s report are quashed by a judge there will be no reason for a sanction hearing at city hall. 

The city’s lawyer, Cameron Ashmore, did not oppose the judicial review application saying it’s part of the process. 

The City of Edmonton had no comment on the case but confirmed Rice has to pay for her own lawyer, although she might be reimbursed.

“The councillor’s legal action is not being paid for by the city. The court may provide further direction regarding costs of the action in the future,” Janice Schroeder, a spokesperson for the city manager, told CityNews.

“The councillor may also make an indemnification request from the city at a later date, which would be evaluated at that time.”

Justice Henderson ordered that no sanction hearing happen until a court ruling is made.

No date was set for the next court hearing but Ashmore said it could be months before that happens.