All councillors to take code of conduct training
Gimli mayor Kevin Chudd has been suspended for seven days without loss of pay after a formal complaint was made last year regarding his conduct. Council passed a resolution imposing sanctions on him.
The RM of Gimli issued a public notice on its website on Jan. 16, informing the public that a formal complaint had been received on March 23, 2025, and that the municipality retained the services of independent investigator Andrea MacNevin to review the case.
MacNevin is a lawyer, investigator and mediator based in Halifax, N.S., according to her LinkedIn profile.
“The investigation has now concluded, and several allegations were found to be founded [sic],” states the Jan. 16 notice. “On Jan. 12, 2026, council passed a resolution imposing sanctions in accordance with Manitoba’s Council Members’ Code of Conduct Regulation. These sanctions have been accepted, and municipal operations continue without interruption.”
Chudd’s seven-day suspension runs from Jan. 16 to Jan. 22. He will be suspended from “all mayoral duties without loss of compensation, as permitted by Section 10.2(I) of the Code of Conduct.”
The mayor will also have to apologize to the complainant. That apology will be “facilitated” by the RM’s chief administrative officer.
The notice doesn’t provide details about the Chudd’s several transgressions or identify the complainant.
The municipality is taking “concrete steps to strengthen governance, reinforce respectful conduct, and enhance public confidence in our decision-making processes,” states the notice.
Under the sanctions imposed, all council members – Chudd, Thora Palson, Kurt Reichert, Andy Damm and Richard Petrowski – are required to take “mandatory training” covering respectful workplace practices, conflict resolution, and clear roles, responsibilities and decision-making processes.
The Express asked the RM, the mayor and councillors what the total investigation cost, why Chudd wasn’t docked pay, why the investigation report can’t be shared with the public, and how each councillor voted on the resolution to suspend the mayor.
Chief administrative officer DJ Sigmundson told the Express Jan. 16 that the RM is unable to share those details due to legislative requirements.
“The RM recognizes the high level of public interest in this matter,” he said by email. “However, Manitoba’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) require municipalities to protect the confidentiality of personnel‑related investigations, personal information, and records containing legal advice. As a result, the full investigation report and related cost details cannot be released publicly.”
Sigmundson added that “only a summary of the findings [i.e., the report] was provided to council for decision-making.”
As to how each council member voted on the suspension of Chudd, Sigmundson said that’s confidential as it’s a personnel and conduct matter.
“Council votes connected to confidential personnel and conduct matters are recorded in accordance with municipal procedure; however, FIPPA prohibits the disclosure of how individual members voted when doing so would reveal personal information protected under section 17,” said Sigmundson. “The publicly shareable portion is the final outcome—specifically, that Council’s resolution was carried.”
He added that the RM is committed to transparency while respecting all legal requirements governing privacy, personnel and Code of Conduct processes.
“Our focus continues to be ensuring accountability, maintaining the integrity of municipal governance, and supporting the community we serve,” said Sigmundson.
Deputy mayor and councillor Kurt Reichert assumes mayoral duties during Chudd’s suspension.
