Victoria bylaw department marred by bullying, discrimination investigations

An FOI request reveals a series of investigations into bullying, harassment, and discrimination in Victoria’s bylaw department.

Complaints of bullying, discrimination, and harassment have been founded by a series of workplace conduct investigations in the City of Victoria’s bylaw department.

CTV News uncovered the information through a freedom of information request to the city.

Since 2021, there have been 10 workplace conduct investigations in the Community Safety and Bylaw Services Division, including three so far this year.

The investigations were initiated by eight separate employees, relating to complaints including disrespect, discrimination, bullying and harassment. There are 35 employees in the department.

Of the 10 investigations, eight determined complaints were founded or partially founded.

Former Victoria bylaw officer Nelson Duarte, who is gay, said some department staff use homophobic, transphobic and other discriminatory language.

“People are supposed to be protected from discrimination and hatred and stupid, immature comments,” said Duarte, who worked at the department until October.

“I felt so isolated and so alone.”

Another former bylaw employee is echoing Duarte’s concerns, calling the office toxic, depressing, and belittling. CTV News is protecting her identity because she worries coming forward could damage her career.

“I was called a witch. I was called fat. I was called stupid. I was called an alcoholic. I was degraded constantly by numerous bylaw officers,” the past employee said.

She worked at the department in recent years, and alleges she saw several colleagues, including Duarte, subjected to similar behaviour from the same group of staff.

She claims some officers made fun of Duarte when he encouraged them to wear rainbow emblems on their uniforms to show support for the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

“As soon as he would leave the room, he was called complete homophobic slurs,” the past employee said.

“Comments … (like), ‘I’m not wearing a f** emblem,’ was one I heard.”

The City of Victoria said it does not comment on personnel matters.

“While we can’t speak to the specific allegations, identifying improvements are often part of an investigation follow-up, which can include clarifying expected standards of conduct, safety protocols, and additional training or other supports,” a spokesperson said in an email.

The city confirmed bylaw employees receive inclusivity training.

“City policies establish expected standards of conduct for employees,” the spokesperson said. “The city is committed to providing a respectful, safe and inclusive work environment free of harassment, bullying and discrimination.”

Both former bylaw employees allege inappropriate behaviour was often overlooked by their superiors. Going forward, they said there must be an emphasis on intervention.

“I don’t want the next person to walk in there to be treated like how I was,” the anonymous employee said.

Duarte is calling for an independent investigation into the department’s workplace culture and management practices.

“These are people’s lives that they’re trusting with the city to protect them while they serve the members of the public and the city,” he said.