Chris Cousins trial: former Qulliq Energy president Peter Mackey testifies
Says Cousins' allegations that QEC was not adhering to Inuit employment guidelines were not true
Peter Mackey, the former president and CEO of the Qulliq Energy Corporation, says a former employee made false allegations that the organization was not adhering to Inuit employment guidelines and that he needed to be disciplined.
Chris Cousins is suing the corporation for $500,000. He says he had to leave his job at the corporation in March 2011 after four disciplinary actions against him, which he says stemmed from his defence of Inuit employment.
Mackey testified Wednesday that Cousins was a "valuable" and "knowledgeable" employee, but that allegations Cousins had about QEC not adhering to Article 23 of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement — which is aimed at increasing Inuit employment in the government — were not true and needed to be addressed.
The corporation argues the series of letters, warnings and finally a suspension and demotion were part of a progressive discipline.
The court heard earlier this week that a fact finding meeting took place on Jan. 13, 2011 between Cousins and former director of human resources Catherine Cronin, former labour relations leader Francis Leger and director of operations Dave Clark. According to an email sent from Leger to Cousins, one point Leger hoped to resolve was Cousins' "continuing campaign to discredit QEC."
Mackey testified he did not take part in the meeting or decision making to suspend and demote Cousins. He said he was unsure if he was informed about the meetings with Cousins, and another former QEC employee Joe Sageatook.
Mackey said he was made aware of the meetings only after the fact through an email sent by Leger. In that email, Leger asked both Cousins and Sageatook about the purpose of their recent visit to the home of the Minister Responsible for the QEC. Leger wrote both men denied any knowledge of the visit.
On Tuesday, Clark testified Cousins was never directly questioned about that visit.
Earlier this week, the court heard that on Jan. 14, 2011, Cousins received a letter stating he would be suspended without pay for 30 working days, demoted from his maintenance supervisor role to a non-supervisory position, and would have to attend anger management training. His suspension would begin Jan. 17.
On Wednesday, Mackey testified he was out of town the day the suspension letter was drafted. Initially, he said he would have been aware of his staff's decision on this matter. But when questioned by Phil Hunt, Cousins' lawyer, about his level of awareness, Mackey said he did not "recollect specifically."
Mackey testified that when he was back in the office on Jan. 21, he sent a letter confirming Cousins' suspension. He said he would have used the guidance and advice of his staff in that decision.
Mackey was questioned by Hunt about a disciplinary action against Cousins in October 2010. Mackey denied a request by Leger to demote Cousins for six months to a non-supervisory role.
Court was adjourned until Thursday because QEC's third witness, Cronin, was not available to testify Wednesday. The lawyer for QEC said Cronin had contracted food poisoning from seafood linguine.
Leger will also testify Thursday by video link from Quebec. He broke several ribs this summer and cannot travel to Iqaluit.
The trial is expected to wrap up on Friday.