For nearly three years as CAO, David Barrick led the City of Brampton through a wide range of challenges, including the most difficult months of the pandemic which was widely regarded as one of the best handled in the country.
Following a myriad of politically-motivated attempts to harm his good work, an independent investigation determined that Barrick did nothing wrong, and the City has “unreservedly” apologized to Barrick – and even offered to welcome him back.
Although David Barrick is grateful for the apology and flattered to be invited to return to City leadership, he has decided to pursue other opportunities.
“The City unreservedly apologizes to Mr. Barrick for the unfounded investigations and associated confidentiality and personal privacy breaches he experienced during his tenure with the City,” officials wrote in a Jan. 31 press release.
The apology comes in the wake of a third-party investigation commissioned by the City. “The third-party exonerated Mr. Barrick and confirmed he was in full compliance with the City’s policies, procedures, and all Bylaws.” The City stated that it “appreciates Mr. Barrick’s unwavering professionalism and fulsome cooperation during those processes.”
The City also went out of its way to express the magnitude of the impact Mr. Barrick had during his tenure, saying it “would like to reiterate its gratitude to Mr. Barrick for his delivery of unprecedented investments in Brampton, and his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, during which time the City was independently recognized by Forbes and Macleans as one of Canada’s Top Employers and Canada’s Best Communities.”
David Barrick led the launch of Brampton’s BHive Business Incubator during his tenure at the City and also enhanced Brampton’s Centre for Innovation. Barrick also oversaw Canada’s first electrification of a transit fleet with Brampton Transit and helped City Council achieve its ambitious budget goals while receiving the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for each year.
David Barrick has welcomed the apology with characteristic generosity of spirit and emphasizes the strong support he received throughout the ordeal, from ordinary people in Brampton and throughout Ontario.
“Through testing and tribulation come a strengthened resolve, a new determination,” Barrick reflected. “For me, that has meant a renewed commitment to public service.”
