A new report is shedding light on Moncton’s controversial decision not to display the nativity scene and menorah at city hall.
The decision, made during a closed-door council meeting last November, was reversed by councillors days later.
However, it caused significant controversy and backlash from around the city and right across the country.
In February, the city’s chief administrative officer requested an independent report to look into the matter.
Chris MacPherson delivered his findings and 10 recommendations to councillors during this week’s meeting.
MacPherson said staff and councillors felt badly about how the process played out, adding there was never any ill will toward any one group.
“Staff acknowledged that they failed to acknowledge the potential negative repercussions or the necessity of obtaining council approval for matters with potential controversy or reputational risk as the case was here,” he said.
“In my view, had this issue followed the normal agenda council process, this situation may have been avoided.”
MacPherson said many felt the decision-making process was rushed, and because of that, senior management did not conduct sufficient due diligence by engaging with the impacted groups.
He also noted the recommendation laid before council — which was not based on any public complaints — “induced a sense of pressure and haste among senior management and by extension to city council.”
“Council felt pressured into making a decision without sufficient time for deliberation or consideration of alternatives,” said MacPherson.
MacPherson also noted that some councillors wondered why the decision needed to be made when it did.
The move came in light of rising reports of antisemitism amid the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and ongoing protests in front of city hall.
“There was a risk of inflaming an already tense situation with ongoing protests in front of city hall at that time, which certainly could have grown worse by placing the symbols in front of city hall,” said MacPherson.
MacPherson said the city never intended not to display the nativity scene and menorah. Instead, they wanted to work with the Jewish and Christian communities to gift them the items and find a suitable place to display them.
Other key insights in his report include internal staff discussions without council input, inadequate communication strategies and pressure to shield council from backlash.
Among the recommendations are establishing clear decision-making protocols, enhancing transparency and engagement, improving communication strategies and developing clear policies and guidelines on displaying religious symbols in public spaces.
Serge Doucet, the city’s chief administrative officer, told council that some of the recommendations have already been put into action.
Doucet said as they work to develop a policy or guideline surrounding religious symbols in public spaces, they have engaged an external company to help with an environmental scan.
“Looking at 10 municipalities from across Canada to look at best practices, what policies and procedures they have in place,” he said.
Doucet said they are also developing an engagement process for local religious groups and the community.
He expects to bring the final draft to council by the end of November. In the meantime, Doucet said the nativity scene and menorah will continue to be placed at city hall.
