CBC News Posted: Sep 15, 2015 3:04 PM PT
Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson and city council have voted to end the contract of City Manager Penny Ballem, according to a news release issued by the mayor's office Tuesday afternoon. Under the terms of her contract, Ballem will receive a severance of $556,000. "Dr. Penny Ballem has been an exceptional city manager, driving transformative change across the organization over the past seven years and demonstrating outstanding commitment to the City of Vancouver and all of its residents," said Mayor Gregor Robertson in the news release. "As we look toward making continued progress on Vancouver's most significant priorities, Council has decided that our city's toughest challenges will benefit from a new approach and a fresh perspective." Ballem held the top job for seven years and helped oversee the 2010 Winter Olympics, the financial turnaround of the Olympic Village and the recent regulation of illegal marijuana dispensaries. She was the top earner at the City of Vancouver in 2014 with an annual salary of $334,617, according to a financial statement on the city's website. A copy of her contract, which the city posted online in response to a freedom of information request, shows that she was to be paid $303,958 in 2009, with modifications from time to time in accordance with city policy. Ballem was hired in 2008 shortly after Robertson's Vision Vancouver party came to power. She served as deputy health minister from 2001 to 2006 in then Liberal leader Gordon Campbell's provincial government. The City will now undergo a comprehensive global search for a new city manager which will include a review of the position's compensation. In the interim, Deputy City Manager Sadhu Johnston will serve as acting city manager.
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