Sechelt mayor censured by Sunshine Coast Regional District Board for ‘verbal outburst’

The Mayor of Sechelt is in hot water over comments he made during a Sunshine Coast Regional District meeting in the spring of 2023.

The Sunshine Coast Regional District Board has censured Sechelt Mayor John Henderson, and requested he be removed from his role as Alternate Director to the district board role until the end of his term as Mayor of Sechelt.

The request came during a board meeting on Thursday, after an independent investigator presented their findings that Henderson had breached the board’s Respectful Workplace Policy and Code of Conduct.

According to the board, this incident involved board staff and was witnessed by members of the public.

In a statement by the mayor posted to the District of Sechelt’s Facebook page, he said: “I am disappointed by the SCRD’s decision to issue a public censure for my short verbal outburst, said to one person in the heat of the moment, following a contentious discussion about our dire water situation.”

Henderson goes on to say he regrets his comment and allowing his frustrations to get the better of him, a sentiment he says he’s expressed to the board.

“Going forward, I will continue to take strong stands on important issues to our community while serving in a professional and respectful manner,” Henderson adds.

Due to the the results of the investigation, the board is asking Sechelt council members to dismiss Henderson from his role as alternate director, effective immediately.

Henderson stepped down from his role as a Sechelt director in April, after serving in the board position since November 2022. Coun. Darren Inkster took his place on May 1, when Henderson became an alternative director instead.

Further details about the investigation will not be released to protect the privacy of affected staff.