Supreme Court of B.C. Justice Dardi awarded Don DeGagne $65,250 in damages equivalent to six months’ notice following a two-year legal battle with the City of Williams Lake.
Dardi announced the long-awaited ruling May 15, compensating DeGagne for six month’s pay, loss of his pension and other benefits for six months, and his relocation cost of $643 as well as one third of his legal costs. She ruled against awarding special or punitive damages to DeGagne.
All told, the dismissal cost the city about $200,000, including its own legal fees.
“I’m glad it’s over,” said Mayor Walt Cobb Tuesday, who was elected mayor after DeGagne’s dismissal.
“Now we can get on with looking after the city without this hanging over our heads.”
Originally DeGagne was hired to begin work as the city’s chief administrative officer on March 1, 2013, but on Feb. 27, prior to beginning the position, the city terminated him.
As a result of the termination, DeGagne sued for damages, wrongful dismissal and aggravated, punitive and special damages.
He also sought damages for defamation as well as for alleged breaches of the Community Charter, but was unsuccessful.