TORONTO — Canada's largest newspaper decided against an outside investigation into the circumstances around the suicide of a prominent reporter because it would have been too bureaucratic, according to an internal memo.
Instead, the Toronto Star did its own investigation, which resulted in two senior editors leaving the newsroom and an enhanced code of conduct, the memo to staff said.
"An external legal investigator was not necessary or appropriate in the circumstances," Brian Daly, vice-president of human resources, said in the memo.
"Such third-party investigations, by their very nature, follow formalized, legalistic protocols, with minimal if any transparency of findings or conclusions."
In a column last week, Star public editor Kathy English talked of the turmoil in the newsroom after Raveena Aulakh, 42, killed herself last month. The column stated that Aulakh had been in a relationship with a senior editor, Jon Filson.
In emails Aulakh had sent, English said, a "clearly heartbroken'' Aulakh made allegations about a relationship between Filson and managing editor Jane Davenport. Filson had already left the company, while Davenport was reassigned within the company.
The Star said it would not discuss details of their departures given that it was an internal personnel matter.
The investigation by Daly and Alan Bower, the Star's executive director of labour relations, also concluded that Aulakh's immediate manager had provided "outstanding and exceptional levels of support and assistance" to her, the memo states.
"Her co-workers should also be acknowledged for their support. Tragically, such extensive efforts by many individuals were not enough."
Daly also said he and Bower had recommended policy changes to spell out more clearly that a personal relationship between a manager and his or her staff constitutes a conflict unless "appropriately declared and approved," and that even the appearance of a conflict is to be avoided.
"We are also moving forward this year with revisions to the Star's respect-in-the workplace policy and related complaint procedures, to bring greater clarity on expectations in this area," the memo states.
In addition, the investigators recommended that newsroom staff should have better access to human resources independent of managers in the newsroom.
The memo concludes with Daly's assertion that the Star has "investigated this matter thoroughly and objectively" and taken appropriate and necessary actions.
The union representing the Star, Unifor, had called last week for a third-party probe. A union official could not immediately be reached for comment.
Torstar holds an investment in The Canadian Press as part of a joint agreement with a subsidiary of the Globe and Mail and the parent company of Montreal's La Presse.
