City to continue funding Drop-in Centre after workplace review

The City of Calgary has closed an investigation into its funding of the Drop-In Centre following reports from CBC News about alleged bullying and harassment at the shelter.

"Administration believes that the DI now has the appropriate revised organizational policies in placeto ensure that programs are being run in an ethical manner," reads a statement sent by the city and attributed to Melanie Hulsker, the director of Calgary Neighbourhoods.

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"The implementation of the action plan will enable the DI to sufficiently address concerns around organizational effectiveness and employee safety."

The probe came afterCBCNews reported what some called a "toxic" workplace at the centre that included allegations of bullying and harassment against former director Steve Baldwin.

TheDI'sexecutive director, Debbie Newman, stepped down following the reports.

City funds released

The city provides approximately two per cent of the shelter's yearly funding $467,000 and said its contract stipulates that programs be delivered in a "professional manner" and that appropriate workplace policies are in place.

According to the statement from the city, the review included regular meetings with leadership at the DI to "assess organizational policies, and to clearly outline our expectations as a funder."

It also asked for the creation of an action plan detailing immediate steps the shelter would take to "strengthen organizational effectiveness and ensure employee safety."

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"As part of this process, the DI has initiated a culture review lead by an independent third-party," reads the statement.

"The DI will produce an implementation plan that addresses the recommendations from the culture review, byAugust 30, 2018."

The city's funds for this year were put on hold pending the outcome of the investigation. Those funds will now be released to the DI.

Moving forward, the city said it would continue to meet on a monthly basis with leadership at the shelter and will conduct a multi-year review by Sept.7.

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