A Vancouver Island politician has resigned after it was discovered he worked a job in the Cayman Islands during a paid leave from his B.C. position.
Terry Siklenka, a councillor with the District of Central Saanich, has left his job after it was revealed that he took a job in Georgetown, Cayman Islands, the Peninsula News Review reported.
Siklenka was granted six months of paid leave after initially requesting a year away from council in September.
Central Saanich District Council approved the six-month leave worth $6,000 at a Nov. 5 meeting, the Times Colonist reported.
Mayor Alistair Bryson said he only found out this week that Siklenka was working for an air conditioning company in the Caribbean tax haven, and instructed municipal staff to get in contact with the councillor. Siklenka's photo is listed as staff on the Polar Bear Air Conditioning's website.
Siklenka's resignation took effect Monday night after he sent a letter to the mayor and the chief administrative officer, the Vancouver Sun reported.
Coun. Cathie Ounstead told the newspaper that Siklenka initially intended to return to his job.
“It’s unfortunate that it’s come to this for him. He’s done a really great job for our community," she said.
Jordan Bateman, B.C. director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, told the Sun that council should never have granted Siklenka a paid leave.
Siklenka worked as a senior estimator and project manager for Accutemp Refrigeration Ltd. in Victoria before he was elected to council, the Times Colonist reported.