This information was provided to the main interested party in its termination letter dated April 27, 2023, a copy of which has just been received by Le Quotidien. We read that about fifteen witnesses were involved in the investigation, which was entrusted to an independent firm.
However, it was impossible to get hold of this investigation. In addition, only a few people had it in their hands. The results were presented to elected officials before they voted to fire him, but they were unable to read the document themselves.
However, the resignation letter mentions disregard for the authority of the general director, who took office in October 2022. For example, it is alleged that the former clerk asked employees to investigate Gabriel Rioux in order to undermine his credibility.
“Your role as an employee and senior manager requires a high level of loyalty and respect for authority. The investigation shows that you had a serious lack of respect for hierarchical authorities and that, despite your professional obligations, you denigrated and made false comments about elected officials and members of the administration,” we read.
It is also noted that Caroline Dion allegedly lied to her direct superiors about the origins of certain mandates she completed. “These are serious mistakes that lead to an irremediable breakdown of the relationship of trust.”
It would have disclosed elements that were discussed in camera in the board and openly criticized decisions adopted in certain dossiers. According to elected officials, these conversations were conducted primarily via text messages.
According to this termination letter, Caroline Dion allegedly disrespected certain employees by insulting them and making violent comments. However, it was not possible to provide specific examples of these measures.
In its letter, the General Directorate of Saguenay concludes that the former employee had the opportunity to comment. “You have partially admitted certain mistakes, but have trivialized or denied the seriousness of your actions. This lack of introspection on your part is also problematic and represents a complicating factor for us in all of these situations.”
On April 18, 2023, two local councilors voted against Me Dion's dismissal, namely Serge Gaudreault and Mireille Jean. In retrospect, however, some regret that they voted for it at what they considered a rash moment.
Caroline Dion enjoys the trust of Josée Néron
The former clerk appealed against her dismissal and a first day of hearing before the Administrative Labor Court was scheduled shortly before the holidays. However, the hearing was adjourned after a few minutes because Saguenay's lawyer, Me Félix-Antoine Michaud, had filed a request for disqualification against Caroline Dion's lawyer, Me René Delorme.
Called as a witness, the former mayor of Saguenay, Josée Néron, had time to mention that she always had confidence in Ms. Dion. She added that as councilwoman, Julie Dufour had a list of city employees and executives she wanted to fire and that the former employee was one of them.
Josée Néron never understood why the elected officials voted for this dismissal.
Neither Mayor Julie Dufour's office nor Caroline Dion's attorney would comment on these elements.