Mayor Gondek’s chief of staff Stephen Carter out, sources allege bullying in city hall

The chief of staff to Calgary’s mayor has been forced out of his job.

No details were provided in a short tweet by Stephen Carter, but the announcement came after CityNews Calgary questioned both him and Mayor Jyoti Gondek about allegations from four different sources within city hall claiming abusive conduct from Carter.

These are all allegations Carter vehemently denies.

“I don’t do it. It’s not something I do,” he said. “It’s just categorically untrue.”

https://twitter.com/Tommy_Slick/status/1489055732540461061

The sources spoke to CityNews on the condition of anonymity, making allegations of bullying and berating of councillors. They also brought forward concerns about Carter trying to direct strategic planning.

“It’s been a very unusual environment,” said one source who has long working experience in council offices. “It’s not normal.”

“He’s instructing them, like a puppet master,” revealed another source. “He’s controlling the room.”

“He’s gone in and yelled at people in their offices,” said a third person.

“I don’t even think he necessarily intends to do this, it’s just the way he views life. Like it’s a little more transactional, a little more open to — and very comfortable with — conflict,” added one more source.

Carter offered little explanation about his departure when announcing the news Wednesday afternoon.

“I am no longer with the Mayor’s office,” Carter wrote on Twitter. “I love campaigns, campaigning and making a difference. I expect to do more of the same. I loved working with @JyotiGondek and expect she will achieve great things.”

I am no longer with the Mayor’s office.

I love campaigns, campaigning and making a difference. I expect to do more of the same.

I loved working with @JyotiGondek and expect she will achieve great things.

— Stephen Carter (@carter_AB) February 2, 2022

CityNews Calgary has reached out to other sources within city hall as part of our investigation, and while many did not respond to our requests, two sources casted doubt on the claims.

Ward 7 Councillor Terry Wong said he could not speculate on any experiences from other members of city council. He told CityNews that, personally, he had not experienced incidents similar to the allegations reported.

Ward 5’s Raj Dhaliwal also felt Carter’s departure was a surprise, adding his interactions with the then-chief-of-staff were not an issue.

“I always had a really good relationship with Mr. Carter,” he said. “There are always going to be some times when you don’t agree, but it was never seen as unprofessional.”

Councillors have indicated this will not get in the way of their work and plan to continue pushing forward with their mandate.

For her part, Gondek denies knowing anything about the allegations.

“That is something that would be addressed by my office if it was a situation that was taking place, and if it happened someone could certainly come to me,” the mayor said.

Carter has a long history in local and provincial politics, serving as the campaign manager for both former Premier Alison Redford and former Mayor Naheed Nenshi. He also spent six months working as Redford’s chief of staff after she was elected in 2011.

News of Carter’s departure from city hall news comes as council marks 100 days since being sworn in.