Dufferin appoints Cruise-Pratchler as interim CAO

September 8th, 2021

Michele Cruise-Pratchler has been appointed as the interim Chief Administrative Officer for the RM of Dufferin. The appointment comes after the resignation of Chief Administrative Officer Rodney Audette. Administrative Assistant Tatiana Walker was initially made the interim acting CAO, but early in Wednesday’s meeting, Reeve Russ Kirzinger requested that the council bring forward the appointment, which was not scheduled until further down the list of agenda items.

At the September 8th meeting, the Reeve asked for a motion appointing Cruise-Pratchler in the interim. Councillors started to vote on the motion when Councillor Ashton Riche opposed it, citing that they had Walker in place and applications to consider, and they should work through the hiring process. Councillor Bob Bennett said that Walker could use the help as she currently had no support as the only person in the office. Because the discussion was moving into personnel discussion, which is allowable to be discussed in-camera, Reeve Kirzinger moved the meeting into the closed session. Council was in closed session for over an hour and a half before returning.

Upon returning, Reeve Kirzinger apologized for not asking for a discussion on the matter before asking for the motion. He asked for a motion to rescind the original motion and then asked for a new motion to hire Cruise-Pratchler, which the council carried.