Outgoing Initiatives Prince George (IPG) CEO Tim McEwan was likely given severance pay, according to Mayor Shari Green. However the arm's length economic development corporation is refusing to say how much.
The economic development agency is operated by a volunteer board of directors.
In an e-mail, IPG board chairperson Glen Wonders said the agency will not disclose information over McEwan's severance package.
"In order to protect the privacy of IPG staff, we do not release any information regarding employment contracts," Wonders wrote.
"IPG staff reports to our volunteer board of directors, who take direction from the mayor and council of the city."
The city's economic development agency announced McEwan's resignation to take another position on Jan. 30. IPG vice-president Heather Oland took over as acting CEO on Jan. 31, and McEwan's last day with the agency is Feb. 17.
"Was he paid severance? Likely he was," Green said. "Initiatives Prince George operates as an independent entity, although we are the sole shareholder.
"They had a contract with the president and CEO. Whatever that contract dictated about him leaving early is likely what happened."
Initiatives Prince George operated on $1.79 million in 2011, according to the agency's 2011 budget, of which $1.02 million came from the city. Salaries for the agency's seven staff and consulting fees comprised $952,090 of the total budget in 2011 and $755,950 in 2010.
McEwan could not be reached for comment as of press time.
The Citizen has filed a Freedom of Information request for city documents relating to
McEwan's resignation.
McEwan joined Initiatives Prince George in February, 2008. He replaced former president Gerry Offet who retired after six years in the position. He was the executive director of the B.C. Progress Board prior to taking the position in Prince George.
In an interview last month, McEwan said he was not at liberty to say what his new position is or whether that would take him outside the city.
