Remai board chair reacts to controversy surrounding gallery

The outgoing chair of the Remai Modern board has issued a statement describing the difficult process of getting the gallery opened.

“The challenges and stress leading to the successful launch of Remai Modern significantly affected our employees and contributed to workplace conflicts,” Scott Verity wrote in a statement posted Sunday to his Twitter account.

He said those conflicts led to three formal complaints by staff, all of which were found to be unsubstantiated following investigations by independent third parties.

“In all cases we listed and responded to concerns whenever they were raised.  A healthy, welcoming and productive work environment has been, and continues to be, among our highest priorities,” Verity wrote.

Verity acknowledged the gallery is still waiting on the outcome of a complaint filed with the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission.

He also listed a number of measures put in place to improve the gallery’s workplace culture, including the creation of an independent ombudsperson to anonymously handle staff complaints.

Along with the complaints surrounding the Remai’s workplace culture, the gallery is also seeing significant turnover on its board, which runs the facility on behalf of the City of Saskatoon.

Verity was reportedly told his term wouldn’t be renewed, as was board secretary Alison Norlen. Five other board members have since indicated they won’t be coming back.

Verity’s statement praised the city for delegating responsibility to the board, but also described a “confusing and difficult governance relationship with the City of Saskatoon.”

When asked by reporters Monday, Mayor Charlie Clark wouldn’t confirm whether the complaints Verity referred to were the basis for changes to the Remai Modern board.

He did acknowledge the path to opening the gallery had its stresses.

“We did everything we could to work with the board and make sure that we could build the best gallery, and operate the best gallery for the community,” Clark said.

He did say concerns were brought forward to city council about the workplace, but all councillors did was ask administration to work with the board, which he said bore “ultimate responsibility” to ensure a healthy and safe workplace.

“Any issues that arose, we made sure administration was working with the board to make sure the right processes were there to deal with them,” he said.

In his statement, Verity still applauded Remai Modern staff for contributing to a successful opening year for the gallery, which brought in more visitors and revenue than initially projected.

—With files from 650 CKOM’s Chris Vandenbreekel.