Conservation Authority in "Total Chaos"
Turmoil at the NBMCA amid flood watch and 60-day window for STR operators to get licenced.
Last week, employees at the North Bay Mattawa Conservation Authority (NBMCA) walked off the job in an apparent strike. This was a few days following the organization’s HR director going public with serious concerns. The HR director described the NBMCA as in “total chaos” and later resigned.
The employees who walked out include West Nipissing councillor Kris Rivard who works for the organization. They told a BayToday reporter that they recently unionized and that almost all employees were looking for another job.
One concern brought up during last week’s walkout was that staff believe the board of management for the non-profit are only getting management’s side of the various disputes in the workplace.
They disagreed with orders that staff could not talk directly to board members.
Yesterday, it was reported by BayToday that the organization’s deputy CEO had also resigned recently.
It is not clear if the union representing the employees at the NBMCA received a legal strike mandate to walk out last week or if proper procedures and notices were issued. The union representing these workers has not commented on the matter yet.
The disruptions at the NBMCA comes during one of their most crucial times of the year. The conservation authority is responsible for monitoring flood levels in the area and this has been a concern this past week in West Nipissing.
STR Operators Have 60 Days to Get a Licence
The ongoing workplace dispute has worried a lot of Short-Term Rental (STR) operators who are quickly trying to get a “grandfathered” license, issued under the new bylaw. Licensees who are on a septic system need approval from the NBMCA before being approved by the city.
The recently passed bylaw is only giving existing operators 60 days to get a licence and be exempt from the 1km radius rule that will disqualify almost all new AirBnB operators after the 60 day window closes.
Many STR operators need to get their septic system approved to get a licence and the turmoil at the conservation authority risks delaying these services.
Some have questionned if council will reconsider this bylaw or delay it’s implementation in light of these latest developments.
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Bylaws without citizens endorsement/consent or engagement are useless and ultimately restrictive to only those of less fortunate circumstance governed by simple gluttony of systems designed to restrict freedoms. If you had no word or mention you have no ground to enforce on the ground you stand.