A former Delta city employee is suing the municipality for more than $700,000 before damages for wrongful firing and defamation.
In a B.C. Supreme court notice of civil claimed filed April 19, Paramjit Singh Grewal said he was employed by the city as the general manager of economic development and stakeholder relations in the mayor’s office.
Named as defendants are the City of Delta and Dylan Kruger, a city councillor. Both declined comment as the case is before the courts.
The claim makes no mention of the fact that Grewal was a 2018 municipal election candidate on Mayor George Harvie’s Achieving for Delta slate; Grewal finished seventh, 600 votes back of running mate Kruger, who claimed the sixth and final seat. Harvie subsequently hired Grewal for the position.
The claim said Grewal was earning $234,000 per year as well as a car allowance of $748 a month, 11.5 per cent vacation allowance and various benefits.
The claim said Grewal was fired on March 21, 2024 although his contract ended on Dec. 31, 2026.
The claim alleges the termination without notice or cause breached the contract.
It claims Grewal should receive what he was entitled to for the contract to the end of 2026.
The decision to fire was in a council in-camera session attended by Kruger, according to the court documents.
The claim said Kruger made 24 defamatory comments about Grewal. Glacier Media has chosen not to repeat the alleged defamatory comments.
The lawsuit alleged Kruger breached the council’s code of ethics.
Against the city, the suit seeks:
- damages for breach of the employment contract;
- damages for breach of the city's duties of good faith in termination of the employment contract and honesty in performance of the contract;
- damages for its vicarious liability for the actions of Kruger or, in the alternative, for the actions of Kruger acting as its agent; and,
- damages for negligence.
The suit seeks damages for defamation against Kruger.
Against both the city and Kruger, the suit claims aggravated damages.
Kruger told Glacier Media he understands the case is one of public interest.
"As it's now before the courts, I'm unable to offer detailed comments," he said. "I have confidence in the legal process to address the situation appropriately."
None of the allegations have been proven in court.
