A Westlock County councillor faces a single count of assault following an April incident in council chambers.
RCMP reported Friday that county Coun. Dennis Primeau was charged following an alleged altercation between himself and reeve Bud Massey prior to a policy meeting at the Westlock County office building on Tuesday, April 19.
“This will have to go through the system. I’m going to have to get ready to get legal counsel and do the best I can,” the 66-year-old Primeau said.
Massey said despite the incident council will return to work, with Primeau absent from the council table.
“Business as usual, we carry on business, hopefully with more decorum,” he said.
“We have a council meeting on Tuesday (May 12) and we have to carry on with business.”
While not suspended from council, Primeau indicated a restraining order prevents him from going to any county-owned facility and he’s doubtful he’ll be at the coming meeting.
Massey added that CAO Duane Coleman was investigating whether Primeau would be able to participate in the meeting via phone.
Municipal Affairs spokesperson Jerry Ward noted that the province would not impose any sanctions in such a scenario and said it’s up to the municipality.
“It would be up to council to deal with that,” Ward said. “If they have a code of conduct policy, which we highly recommend, that should address the situation.”
Ward said any involvement by the department would be limited and only if council requested it.
“We could offer mediation services to the entire council if it were so requested,” he said.
Coleman also confirmed that Primeau was still in good standing as a member of council.
“There’s nothing in the MGA that says a councillor is suspended,” Coleman said. “Coun. Primeau is still a member of council.”
As for what transpires going forward, Coleman said administration would have to play it by ear.
“Charges are one thing, being convicted would have another element to it,” he said.
Primeau will make his first appearance in Westlock Provincial Court May 25.
