Abuse from the public too much for young woman to deal with
Above, Area C director Allan Patton, Loose Bay camper Shyvano Joly and Oliver Mayor Ron Hovanes stand behind a declaration signed by 100 campers stating that Loose Bay provides all of the amenities they need. At left is former bylaw enforcement officer Marie-Eve Roberge, who is trying to help farm workers in Oliver and Osoyoos.
Lyonel Doherty photos
A former bylaw enforcement officer for the Town of Oliver has learned that speaking your mind can jeopardize your job.
Marie-Eve Roberge thinks that may have led to her demise a month after being hired to enforce the rules in this community.
Roberge was expected to bridge the communication gap between French-speaking fruit pickers and the Town.
In a previous interview with the Chronicle, she voiced her opinion of Loose Bay campground, saying it is not the ideal place for workers because of frequent parties that make it difficult to sleep.
“You can call it a camp, but it’s not a picker’s camp.”
She also noted that many pickers who come to Oliver and Osoyoos are not given access to clean water, showers or toilets. (Loose Bay has all of these amenities, while Osoyoos does not have an official camp for migrant workers.)
Roberge voiced a concern about some farmers not paying their workers on a timely basis.
The young woman said that soon after putting on her bylaw officer uniform, she encountered verbal abuse from both workers and the public.
“A lot of things happened and people were treating me like a bitch . . . I think people don’t want me in Osoyoos and Oliver.”
Roberge said some individuals think she was trying to close Loose Bay down, but she denied that.
“I gave my opinion of Loose Bay and they don’t like that.”
Because of the abuse she was taking, Roberge was considering quitting her job. She told her employer (Marshall Enforcement Services) that she wanted to think about it.
But Roberge said someone apparently called the RCMP about a domestic dispute between her and her boyfriend at an Osoyoos motel. She stated there was no violence other than a police officer pushing her against a wall.
However, Sgt. Kevin Schur of the Osoyoos RCMP said the female at that location was arrested for obstructing a police officer while they were trying to apprehend a man on an outstanding warrant for theft.
“As the police attempted to handcuff the female, she twisted and pulled away from the police officer, attempting to break free,” Schur said.
The RCMP did not forward charges on the female and determined that no assault had occurred, he pointed out.
As a bylaw enforcement officer, Roberge said she didn’t want to work with police who are this aggressive.
In fact, she admitted that bylaw enforcement work does not really suit her.
“The wage is not good (putting up with people’s abuse for $12 an hour).”
Pat Marshall from Marshall Enforcement Services confirmed they let Roberge go for personal reasons. She wasn’t fired because it was a mutual agreement.
“She wasn’t suitable for the position . . . it’s hard, it’s not an easy job.
Marshall said employees are personally trained by the company, but “taking abuse from the public is something you can’t teach.”
Marshall pointed out they are currently looking for another French liaison person to fill the void.
Osoyoos Mayor Stu Wells was asked if he thought such services are sorely needed when it comes to encouraging transients from Quebec to follow the Town’s rules.
“I think sorely needed to be a bit overstated, (but) a liaison person communicating with the visitors would always be an asset. So many problems may be averted with sound, concise communication leading to understanding.”
Oliver Mayor Ron Hovanes said he wasn’t aware of the reason why Roberge was no longer employed by Marshall.
“I am hoping we can continue with the approach of having a bilingual officer employed (if the right person can be found).”
But Area C director Allan Patton said he likes the fact that Roberge isn’t working for the Town anymore.
“I didn’t know her but was told by those who administer and manage Loose Bay that they felt she was part of the problem instead of the solution. I and the Loose Bay society did not appreciate her negative comments about Loose Bay in the press.”
Patton said the Town of Oliver, and especially the mayor, could have handled this much better by contacting the society prior to making pronouncements and hiring people who work contrary to the interests of migrant workers.
“I am in favour of the Town hiring a bylaw officer or liaison to deal with migrant workers within the Town boundaries, however, statements from the mayor indicate that the problem should be dealt with area-wide. The procedure dealing with area-wide has been inadequate to date.”
Greg Norton, chair of the Loose Bay society, acknowledged that Roberge “got off to a rough start” in the community. But he doesn’t see the absence of her position as a major setback.
“We’ve been operating for years without such a person.”
However, Norton sees the merits of having a French liaison person work with fruit pickers.
“It’s a special role. You can’t go to school to train for that job.”
Roberge said she plans to continue working on a personal project she calls “Okanagan Pickers,” a farm labour management initiative. She wants to establish a real work camp with toilets and showers on a piece of land between Osoyoos and Oliver. She also hopes to establish a shuttle service to help workers with transportation.
