Wetaskiwin’s mayor may soon be allowed back into city hall following a recent court order. Joe Branco, the mayor of the central Alberta municipality, had his access to city hall limited earlier this year due to allegations of inappropriate behavior made by a city employee.
In a statement provided to CBC News on Tuesday, the City of Wetaskiwin announced that an interim agreement had been reached regarding Mayor Branco’s access to city hall. The agreement stipulates that pending a judicial review, Branco can regain entry to city hall upon completion of respectful workplace training. The city is also making internal adjustments to ensure compliance with the specified conditions.
Expressing a sense of relief, Branco stated to CBC News that he is eager to resume representing the constituents who elected him. The limitations on Branco’s access to city hall and communication with city staff were imposed by city administration in January following a complaint made against him. The city council was informed of the complaint during a meeting in January, and the restrictions were supported by the council.
The complaint alleged that Branco had used inappropriate language towards a city employee, including referring to them as “sweetie,” “his girl,” and “favorite employee.” While Branco admitted to most of the allegations, he denied any sexual intent. Branco, who first became aware of the complaint in December 2025, filed for a judicial review on July 30 to challenge the city’s actions.
As per the recent Court of King’s Bench of Alberta consent order issued on Tuesday, Branco must undergo one-on-one workplace restoration training to be able to return to city hall. The training will be funded by the city. Branco’s lawyer, Roberto Noce, mentioned that the consent order, finalized after extensive discussions between legal representatives, has temporarily lifted all restrictions on Branco except for a prohibition on interaction with the complainant.
Furthermore, the order specifies that Branco cannot access the office area where the complainant works, and the chief administrative officer’s office will be relocated to enable Branco’s access. The consent order allows for modifications to the restrictions if they prove unworkable.
Regarding the completion of respectful workplace training, it was revealed that Branco underwent the training in 2024 following allegations of inappropriate workplace behavior. Although he was required to undergo the training again in 2025, it had not been completed when the city imposed the ban on Branco. Branco indicated that he completed the 2025 training on Monday, stating that he is taking the required course to improve his understanding of cultural sensitivities and communication in today’s political landscape.
Despite the consent order’s provisions, the judicial review sought by Branco is expected to proceed. Noce anticipates the hearing to occur in fall 2027 and believes that the case will have significant implications not just for Wetaskiwin but for all municipalities in Alberta, particularly in delineating the roles of elected officials and administrative bodies. Branco, who has served on Wetaskiwin city council for 16 years, is currently in his first term as mayor.