Publication date: Nov 16, 2022 • 9 hours ago • 4 min read 35 Comments Councilor Sean Chu is pictured during a council meeting in Council Chambers at Calgary City Hall on Tuesday, November 15, 2022. Azin Ghaffari/Postmedia

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Premier Danielle Smith’s office has instructed government officials to take a fresh look at the allegations leveled against Coun. Sun Tzu.

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In a statement, the Prime Minister’s Office said the deputy ministers of justice and public security have been tasked with reviewing the review of Chu’s 1997 police misconduct investigation. They will determine “whether further action should be taken,” according to the statement. Sign up to receive daily news headlines from the Calgary Herald, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. By clicking the subscribe button you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of our emails. Postmedia Network Inc. | 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4 | 416-383-2300

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Council voted Tuesday to send the Calgary Police Commission’s review of Chu’s case to the premier, with a request to assign a review to the relevant department. “These allegations are serious and we do not take them lightly,” the prime minister’s office said in a statement. “Elected representatives at all levels must conduct themselves in all matters with the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct.” The City sent a similar request to the province after the September 2021 election after media reports revealed that Chu had been busted for inappropriate physical contact with a 16-year-old girl in 1997 while a police officer.

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Chu was found guilty of disparaging conduct under the Police Act at the time, but was never charged criminally. In November last year, Ric McIver, who was then municipal affairs minister, obtained a legal opinion that the province did not have the power to remove Chu from his democratically elected position, especially over matters that occurred before he was elected. What has changed since then is the Calgary Police Commission’s review of the file, which found police made mistakes in their handling of the sexual assault investigation into the Ward 4 councilor when he was a member of the Calgary Police Service. The council only asked the province to review the 1997 assault allegations and did not touch on another revelation that came to the council on Tuesday.

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During the meeting, Mayor Jyoti Gondek revealed that Chu had shared a photo of her sign with a member of the public. Chu admitted to taking and sharing the photos, which he took in the city’s secure park. The revelation drew additional outcry from many, including the mayor’s former political opponent Jeremy Farkas, who denounced Chu’s actions on social media on Tuesday. “This latest issue really continues a dangerous pattern of behavior unbecoming of the city council, let alone any position of authority,” said Farkas, who previously served as a Ward 11 councilman for one term before launching an unsuccessful mayoral bid in 2021. Farkas said he worked with Chu in the past but is now distancing himself from him, saying Chu’s actions cross the line.

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“I can’t believe I have to say this,” Farkas said in an interview with Postmedia on Wednesday. “This is wrong, wrong and wrong. But if anyone out there, especially conservatives, is willing to turn a blind eye just because you dislike the mayor’s policies, you need to get your head in check.” Farkas said, in his opinion, Chu’s position on the council is now untenable and is calling on the province to remove him from office. “Premier (Daniel) Smith and (Municipal Affairs Minister Rebecca) Schultz must act now to remove him or else be complicit,” Farkas said. “They have legal oversight of this council and its advisers and they need to do something.” Chu left Tuesday’s board meeting without speaking to reporters. When reached for comment Wednesday, he said he was on his way to a meeting and could not speak.

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The mayor said Tuesday that Chu’s actions put her safety at risk, but details about what steps have been taken to ensure her safety remain unclear. In an emailed statement, the city said it cannot publicly discuss any of its security details, including whether or not security investigations have been conducted. Chu said during Tuesday’s council meeting that he now parks in a public park. A spokesperson for the Calgary Police Service confirmed that the law enforcement agency had not been made aware of the license plate incident and was not involved in any way. Former Councilman Brian Pincott served for 10 years, including four years with Chu. He said the board may be struggling with how to censure Chu, but believes there are things that can be done.

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“As a councilman, your key card takes you to a lot of places,” Pincott said. “So if you’re thinking about the safety of not only other councilors but council staff, take away his access so he can’t just wander into any part of the council building that he wants to wander into.” Pincott said October’s decision to reinstate Chu to city commissions and boards after a year of censure is not what he would have done. “Honestly, it’s not like he’s really contributing to the committee anyway,” Pincott said. “That’s disparaging to say, but that’s my experience.” Pincott said the township could also do more to make things uncomfortable for Chu, such as revoking other parking privileges and his ability to spend on meals. He also suggested that the councilor call all meetings remotely. [email protected]: @brodie_thomas

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