Penny Ballem
Encyclopedia
Dr. Penny Janet Drury Ballem, MSc
, MD
, FRCP
is the city manager for the City of Vancouver
, British Columbia
, Canada
and served as a member of the VANOC
board of directors, corporate director for Bentall Capital G.P. Ltd., as well as a senior adviser to RPO Management Consultants. She is a physician and clinical professor at the University of British Columbia
Medical School in the department of hematology
and bone marrow
transplant.
, Quebec
, Canada
. She was one of five children of a Montreal
engineer and his wife.
and her Masters in Immunology at the University of Western Ontario
. She received her medical degree in 1978 from the University of British Columbia
, and completed her specialist fellowship at the University of British Columbia
as well.
Premier Gordon Campbell to be the deputy health minister of the Province of British Columbia
in 2001, and subsequently abruptly resigned from the position in 2006 after giving no notice, not seeking severance, and criticizing the government's plans for the health ministry as unsound.
Mayor Gregor Robertson
's top choice to head Vancouver
's civil administration, to provide a "fresh start" after coming to power. Vision Vancouver
, Mayor Robertson's political party, had concerns that the previous city manager had too much power. Within one week of Gregor Robertson taking office, former Vancouver
city manager Judy Rogers
, a 25 year veteran of Vancouver City Hall
, was replaced by Ballem. Ballem was selected without the government conducting a candidate search. Rogers received $572,000 severance in the transition.
passed several temporary bylaw changes which were controversial for some civil liberties advocates who argued that they "make it more difficult to exercise [the] fundamental constitutional rights to free speech, peaceful assembly and free expression." As part of the changes Ballem was given special powers that were referred to by Coalition of Progressive Electors
councillor Ellen Woodsworth
as "wide open carte blanche." Vancouver
Mayor Gregor Robertson
defended the changes as necessary.
style, Ballem responded, "Tough, eh."
In her first 10 months as city manager there were a large number of departures and non-scheduled retirements of city staff. In one such departure Ballem stripped the retiring Vancouver Park Board
general manager, Susan Mundick, of all routine transitional duties. Ballem then stated she would help the park board choose Mundick's replacement, a selection process city hall traditionally had not been involved in. In response, Vancouver city councilor Suzanne Anton
urged Mayor Robertson and the city council to limit Ballem's control of the park board.
On September 1, 2009 Ballem announced that Sadhu Aufochs Johnston
would be hired as Deputy City Manager to lead the city's environmental efforts.
Master of Science
A Master of Science is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is typically studied for in the sciences including the social sciences.-Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay:...
, MD
Doctor of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine is a doctoral degree for physicians. The degree is granted by medical schools...
, FRCP
Royal College of Physicians
The Royal College of Physicians of London was founded in 1518 as the College of Physicians by royal charter of King Henry VIII in 1518 - the first medical institution in England to receive a royal charter...
is the city manager for the City of Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
, British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and served as a member of the VANOC
Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games
The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games was the non-profit organization responsible for planning, organizing, financing and staging the 2010 Winter Olympics and 2010 Winter Paralympics...
board of directors, corporate director for Bentall Capital G.P. Ltd., as well as a senior adviser to RPO Management Consultants. She is a physician and clinical professor at the University of British Columbia
University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia is a public research university. UBC’s two main campuses are situated in Vancouver and in Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley...
Medical School in the department of hematology
Hematology
Hematology, also spelled haematology , is the branch of biology physiology, internal medicine, pathology, clinical laboratory work, and pediatrics that is concerned with the study of blood, the blood-forming organs, and blood diseases...
and bone marrow
Bone marrow
Bone marrow is the flexible tissue found in the interior of bones. In humans, bone marrow in large bones produces new blood cells. On average, bone marrow constitutes 4% of the total body mass of humans; in adults weighing 65 kg , bone marrow accounts for approximately 2.6 kg...
transplant.
Childhood
Ballem grew up in the Westmount area of MontrealMontreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. She was one of five children of a Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
engineer and his wife.
Education
Ballem completed her undergraduate studies at McGill UniversityMcGill University
Mohammed Fathy is a public research university located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The university bears the name of James McGill, a prominent Montreal merchant from Glasgow, Scotland, whose bequest formed the beginning of the university...
and her Masters in Immunology at the University of Western Ontario
University of Western Ontario
The University of Western Ontario is a public research university located in London, Ontario, Canada. The university's main campus covers of land, with the Thames River cutting through the eastern portion of the main campus. Western administers its programs through 12 different faculties and...
. She received her medical degree in 1978 from the University of British Columbia
University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia is a public research university. UBC’s two main campuses are situated in Vancouver and in Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley...
, and completed her specialist fellowship at the University of British Columbia
University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia is a public research university. UBC’s two main campuses are situated in Vancouver and in Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley...
as well.
British Columbia Deputy Health Minister
She was recruited by British ColumbiaBritish Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
Premier Gordon Campbell to be the deputy health minister of the Province of British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
in 2001, and subsequently abruptly resigned from the position in 2006 after giving no notice, not seeking severance, and criticizing the government's plans for the health ministry as unsound.
Selection
Ballem was VancouverVancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
Mayor Gregor Robertson
Gregor Robertson (politician)
Gregor Angus Bethune Robertson is a Canadian politician who has been the 39th Mayor of Vancouver, British Columbia, since 2008. He was elected as part of the Vision Vancouver party slate...
's top choice to head Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
's civil administration, to provide a "fresh start" after coming to power. Vision Vancouver
Vision Vancouver
Vision Vancouver is one of three parties represented on Vancouver City Council in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Vision was formed in the months leading up to the 2005 municipal election.-Formation:...
, Mayor Robertson's political party, had concerns that the previous city manager had too much power. Within one week of Gregor Robertson taking office, former Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
city manager Judy Rogers
Judy Rogers
Judy Rogers was the city manager for the City of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada from 1999–2008 and served as a member of the board of directors of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. She was the first female city manager of...
, a 25 year veteran of Vancouver City Hall
Vancouver City Hall
Vancouver City Hall is home to Vancouver City Council in Vancouver, British Columbia. Located at 453 West 12th Avenue, the building was ordered by the Vancouver Civic Building Committee, designed by architect Fred Townley and Matheson, and built by Carter, Halls, Aldinger and Company...
, was replaced by Ballem. Ballem was selected without the government conducting a candidate search. Rogers received $572,000 severance in the transition.
Bylaw powers
In July 2009 Vancouver City CouncilVancouver City Council
Vancouver City Council is the governing body of the City of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.The city is governed by the Vancouver Charter, not the Community Charter and the Local Government Act which are used for other municipal governments...
passed several temporary bylaw changes which were controversial for some civil liberties advocates who argued that they "make it more difficult to exercise [the] fundamental constitutional rights to free speech, peaceful assembly and free expression." As part of the changes Ballem was given special powers that were referred to by Coalition of Progressive Electors
Coalition of Progressive Electors
The Coalition of Progressive Electors is a municipal political party in the Canadian city of Vancouver, British Columbia.-Origins:...
councillor Ellen Woodsworth
Ellen Woodsworth
thumb|right|175px|Ellen Woodsworth speaking at a press conference in Vancouver, BC, Canada.Ellen Woodsworth is a former Vancouver City Councillor...
as "wide open carte blanche." Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
Mayor Gregor Robertson
Gregor Robertson (politician)
Gregor Angus Bethune Robertson is a Canadian politician who has been the 39th Mayor of Vancouver, British Columbia, since 2008. He was elected as part of the Vision Vancouver party slate...
defended the changes as necessary.
Staff transitions
Ballem was charged by Mayor Robertson with cutting costs at city hall and attempted to do so through a centralization of powers. When asked about senior city staff's concerns about her micromanagementMicromanagement
In business management, micromanagement is a management style where a manager closely observes or controls the work of her or his subordinates or employees...
style, Ballem responded, "Tough, eh."
In her first 10 months as city manager there were a large number of departures and non-scheduled retirements of city staff. In one such departure Ballem stripped the retiring Vancouver Park Board
Vancouver Park Board
The Vancouver Park Board is an elected board with exclusive possession, jurisdiction and control over public parks in the City of Vancouver. Established by section 485 of the Vancouver Charter, the Park Board , is one of the only elected bodies of its kind in Canada...
general manager, Susan Mundick, of all routine transitional duties. Ballem then stated she would help the park board choose Mundick's replacement, a selection process city hall traditionally had not been involved in. In response, Vancouver city councilor Suzanne Anton
Suzanne Anton
Suzanne Anton is a city councillor for Vancouver, British Columbia. She is currently an incumbent city councillor, elected as a member of the Non-Partisan Association in 2005 and in 2008. From the 2008 civic election, she is the only elected NPA representative on the city council...
urged Mayor Robertson and the city council to limit Ballem's control of the park board.
On September 1, 2009 Ballem announced that Sadhu Aufochs Johnston
Sadhu Aufochs Johnston
Sadhu Aufochs Johnston was the Chief Environmental Officer of Chicago and Deputy Chief of Staff to Mayor Richard M. Daley, until he was appointed Deputy City Manager of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada in 2009...
would be hired as Deputy City Manager to lead the city's environmental efforts.