The president of BMT Insurance Brokers Ltd. says the company has now served Cochrane, Ont., Mayor Peter Politis a statement of claim, arguing his comments in the local press unfairly hint at impropriety.
"We regret having to take this action against Mayor Politis," said Joel Bergeron, BMT president. "We've asked him to publicly apologize for the false allegations he has made, repeatedly, both in council meetings and now in the media. He has not responded to our request.”
“Bergeron maintains that the company, with seven offices scattered across Ontario, had its Cochrane manager, Rheal Cousineau, and BMT Insurance attacked. He declined Tuesday to provide IBC details.
Through a competitive bid process, BMT was recently awarded a one-year contract to provide and service the Town of Cochrane's insurance needs. The town council approved its selection by a vote of six to one, with Politis casting the dissenting vote, according to Bergeron.
BMT Insurance, Joel Bergeron, and Rheal Cousineau are seeking general damages of $500,000 each for “harm to reputation” as well as punitive damages.
"We remain committed to supporting the Town of Cochrane as well as the community,” Bergeron said. “Our actions in regard to Mayor Politis will not affect this commitment."
