Judicial review of Edmonton City Councilor Jennifer Rice planned after upcoming municipal election

Edmonton City Councilor Jennifer Rice’s day in court to challenge findings that she harassed and intimidated members of her staff will be May 6, 2026, several months after the next municipal election.

The Court of King’s Bench granted Rice a judicial review of the case after ward councilor Ipiihkoohkanipiaohtsi asked the court to stop a sanction hearing against her in August.

Municipal integrity commissioner Jamie Pytel began investigating Rice last October, under the council’s code of conduct, after an employee made a complaint about the councillor’s behaviour.

Rice claims the investigation was unfair, that the commissioner failed to provide him with a copy of the complete complaint, that he did not identify the witnesses interviewed and that some information was redacted from the complaint.

Several other city councilors say they haven’t seen the report, which was given to Rice in March.

Eyebrow raising timing

The next municipal elections are set for October 20, 2025.

The timing of the judicial review raises some eyebrows.

Ward Papastew Councilman Michael Janz said the public deserves to know the results, especially if Rice runs for office next October.

“Councillor Rice should explain herself to her colleagues, to Edmontonians and to her constituents,” Janz said in an interview with CBC News on Wednesday.

Councilors’ behavior and decisions are subject to scrutiny under the council’s code of conduct, adopted in 2018 to strengthen accountability.

The Integrity Commissioner is an independent third party who investigates complaints against advisors.

“If the integrity commissioner has made a conclusion and done some research – I mean, that’s what this person should do – we should have that report and then we should have a discussion about next steps,” he said. Janz said.

Rice did not respond to CBC’s request for comment on the timing of the court date or whether he plans to run for office.

Chaldeans Mensah, a political scientist at MacEwan University, said Rice had the right to take legal action if she thought the investigation was unfair.

At the same time, she will benefit from a later court date, he suggested.

“It actually benefits him to delay this process,” Mensah said in an interview. “Voters will not have the opportunity to evaluate their findings or the sanction process the Integrity Commissioner wishes to follow.”

She has two important things going for her, he said: tenure and notoriety.

“These are two strong factors that she hopes to capitalize on,” he said. “But I think her opponents will probably bring this ethical cloud that she’s facing into discussions during the campaign.”

Janz believes the process will cost the city, and subsequently taxpayers, money.

Janice Schroeder, a city spokeswoman, said a legal team will be present in court and may present arguments.

“The city may have its views on who participates in a sanction hearing or how it is conducted,” Schroeder said in an email to CBC News on Wednesday.

The municipal administration has not requested that the judicial review be accelerated, she added.

Code of Conduct Complaints

Janz himself was the subject of a code of conduct investigation more than two years ago for retweeting a message deemed derogatory toward police.

“Even in the investigation, I said, ‘Yes, I made a mistake and I want to atone for it,'” he said.

Janz said Rice should acknowledge or explain why she believes she is not guilty of the allegations.

“And my advice to Councilor Rice would be that Edmontonians are a very understanding and forgiving people. Just confess your sins, apologize and people will understand.”

Two positions were created when the City adopted its code of conduct: an ethics advisor to guide councilors in their decision-making and an integrity commissioner to investigate when complaints are made against a councillor.

Members of the public, staff or other councilors can make complaints.

The integrity commissioner’s report also contains suggestions for reprimands against a councillor.

These can range from requiring a letter of apology to removal of duties, or whatever other councilors deem appropriate.

Ultimately, the board decides what the punishment will be.

Former councilor Mike Nickel was also found to be in conflict with the code of conduct.

Pytel’s annual report will be submitted to council next week for consideration. It is delayed from the spring because the 2023 Rice complaint has not been concluded.

Since September 2018, Pytel has received 124 complaints and investigated 40, its annual report says.