Another fired senior employee suing City of Windsor for wrongful dismissal

The City of Windsor is facing its second wrongful dismissal lawsuit froma high-ranking municipal official in a matter of four months.

Thom Hunt, a city planner for 25 years, filed a statement of claim with the courts on Tuesday seeking $2.8 million. The 60-year-old is alleging a breach of contract and wrongful dismissal.

The court documents, obtained by CBC News, allege"humiliating treatment" leading up to his termination last monththat tarnished his reputation across the province.

Hunt alleges his firing was "made in badfaith, for political reasons and in retaliation" against him.

"We are aware of the statement of claim filed by Thom Hunt against the City of Windsor," said city of spokesperson Jason Moore. "The city denies all of the allegations and will defend itself accordingly. As this has now become a legal matter, we will refrain from further comment and allow the legal process to take its course."

CBC News also reached out toMayor Drew Dilkens' office for comment and hasnot received a response.

One of the political factors he points to is a series of public reports he issued as chair of the Regional Planning Commission of Ontario (RPCO.)That organization has been critical of provincial housing costs and the development of the Greenbelt.

His election to the role as head of the RPCOsignals that Hunt is a leader in his field and well-respected by his peers across the province, the lawsuit states.It also shows Hunt"consistently received positive performance evaluations" during his time at the city.

Concerns from the mayor's office

However, in November of 2022, his performance evaluation contained some concerns his boss told him originate from the office of Mayor Drew Dilkens, the lawsuit alleges. Those concerns stem from staffing shortages in his department as the number of development applications saw an "unprecedented" increase.

The statement of claim points out that Hunt's attempts to hire more staff were turned down by city council.

Then, on Jan.23, 2023, Hunt was able to get a city budget committee to agree to create seven new full-time positions and a temporary job within his department.

18-month termination notice unusual for senior staff, lawsuit alleges

The following day, Hunt said he attended a "surprise meeting" and was handed an 18-month notice of termination "due to a change in position," according to the court documents.

The statement of claim says this dismissal was an effort to "censor and silence" Hunt as well as hand down "uniquely humiliating treatment, with a punitive working notice" that isn't how senior staff are typically treated.

By comparison, city commissioners Chris Nepszy and Shelby AskinHager were terminated effective immediately when the city announced a "strategic realignment of its organizational structure" in November of 2023.

Nepszyfiled a wrongful dismissal lawsuit in March seeking more than $1 million.

Because Hunt was given an 18-month termination notice, the lawsuitdescribes allegations of"increasing professional marginalization and negative treatment" leading up to that point:

• Avoiding direct communication with Hunt, undermining his authority and "alienating him in the workplace."
• Not allowing Hunt to attend meetings or communicate with developers, affecting his reputation.
• Denying Hunt access to an email network, causing confusion and rumours about his status.
• Incorrectly telling elected officials and staff that Hunt was retiring, creating some "humiliating" interactions.
• "Insinuating unethical conduct" by threatening Hunt about his work.

All of this treatment prompted Hunt to take a medical leave from June 2023 until Jan.22, 2024.

Once he returned, Hunt alleges he faced restrictions on speaking with the media, exclusions from meetings he would typically be required to attend and an inability to participate in planning-related conferences.

None of these allegations have been proven in court.

The City of Windsor now has time to submit a statement of defence to speak to these allegations.