The CEO of a Canadian national museum has retired following a report that revealed a pattern of mistreatment towards staff over a ten-year period, including using inappropriate language such as referring to a senior leadership team as ‘sluts.’ Marie Chapman, the CEO of the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 in Halifax, announced her immediate departure in a letter addressed to stakeholders and staff.
The official statement from the museum’s board of trustees chairperson, Cynthia Price Verreault, confirmed Chapman’s decision to retire after the board reviewed the report’s content and implications. The report, conducted by the Office of the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner and disclosed by CBC News, detailed serious breaches of the code of conduct by Chapman, undermining trust in the public sector and the museum’s integrity.
Initially appointed as CEO by the Harper government in 2011 and subsequently reappointed by the Trudeau government in 2016 and 2021 with a salary of up to $221,700, Chapman’s tenure expired in October. However, she was engaged by the board for a 90-day transitional term that ends in January, according to government sources.
The investigation into Chapman, initiated in 2023 by the commissioner, found a consistent pattern of behavior that affected staff profoundly, with some individuals even contemplating self-harm. The report highlighted how Chapman abused her authority to instill fear in employees, hindering them from raising concerns due to her senior position.
The findings also revealed instances of verbal abuse and inappropriate language use by Chapman towards staff. She referred to the senior leadership team as ‘sluts,’ both in private and public settings, creating a hostile work environment. Additionally, Chapman made derogatory comments about the appearance and behavior of female employees, assigning them hurtful nicknames based on age and physical attributes.
In response to the report, the museum’s board of trustees acknowledged the findings and pledged to address the issue urgently in collaboration with the government. They have agreed to implement the commissioner’s recommendation of bringing in an external expert to assess employee well-being and provide necessary support.
Fiona Valverde, the vice-president of revenue generation, has assumed responsibility for the museum’s daily operations with immediate effect. Despite Chapman disputing the report’s conclusions and raising concerns about the investigation’s fairness, Culture Minister Marc Miller expressed support for her departure, emphasizing the need for appropriate action if the allegations are substantiated.