A $4 million lawsuit filed against the Town of Bashaw and some of its councillors and staff no longer includes the former commander of the Bashaw RCMP detachment.
In February, 2023 co-owners of the Bashaw Retreat Centre, Dr. Tony Mucciarone and former board chair of the Central Alberta Economic Partnership (CAEP) James Carpenter, announced a $4 million statement of claim against the Town of Bashaw, many current and former councillors, municipal staff and an RCMP officer, S/Sgt. Bruce Holliday, who has since passed away.
In the July 11 edition of the ECA Review an update on the lawsuit quoted Millars Law spokesperson Philip Millar as confirming the lawsuit was moving forward and when asked if the original version of the lawsuit was accurate, including a claim against Holliday’s estate, Millar confirmed it was.
A question from the ECA Review stated, “…the only version of the lawsuit I have was the one sent in February, 2023, I will likely quote it in my story. It is still fully accurate, details, names, etc.?”
Millar responded, “Yes, it is a disturbing case for sure. That claim still stands.”
However, after the July 11 story was published RCMP K Division spokesperson Fraser Logan contacted the ECA Review to state S/Sgt. Holliday’s estate was dropped from the lawsuit in August, 2023. Logan provided a legal document called a consent order confirming Holliday’s estate was no longer part of the lawsuit.
The ECA Review contacted Philip Millar at Millars Law through email July 11 requesting clarification about the status of Holliday’s estate in the Bashaw Wellness Centre lawsuit.
Millar confirmed Holliday’s estate was removed from the lawsuit.
“That’s true, he was removed after he passed,” stated Millar in a July 12 email.
It should be pointed out that according to the February 2023 statement of claim document, S/Sgt. Holliday’s estate was named in the lawsuit, meaning the plaintiffs knew he had already passed away when it was filed with the courts.
The ECA Review apologizes to the Holliday family for any confusion or distress this mistake cause.
Stu Salkeld
Local Journalism Initiative reporter
ECA Review
