Minutes Show Carmichael Let Go Without Cause

It’s a move that had the community asking what happened and more of the answer is now public.

At the December 1st, 2025 personnel committee meeting the Committee voted to remove then city manager Maryse Carmichael from her position with the City of Moose Jaw.

The dismissal was effective December 2, 2025.

Carmichael was terminated from her contractual position without cause.

Excerpt from the personnel committee minutes

The City signed a five year employment contract with Carmichael commencing in May 2023.

In 2023 her remuneration was $128,740.35 - partial year of employment.

In 2024, her first full year of employment, she received remuneration of $208,722.51.

If the City has to pay out her contract in its entirety it would cost taxpayers over $500,000 for the two and a half years remaining.

The City has not released if any deal was worked out with Carmichael regarding the potential contract payout.

Attempts to contact the City for comment were unsuccessful as it is the weekend and press questions are limited.

In the past the City terminated former city manager Gary McKay’s contract early without cause and the taxpayer was on the hook for tens of thousands of dollars.

McKay was let go at the time with the reasoning that the City “wanted to go a different direction.”

Speaking to other media Mayor James Murdock said “…as a group, council felt that we just wanted to see things go in a different direction.”

The Mayor has also denied Carmichael was fired.

When hired by the City she was touted as bringing an impressive record of leadership to the job. Carmichael had served as an RCAF pilot and the first female member of the Snowbirds air demonstration team.

The personnel committee’s minutes show the entire Council was in attendance.

Discussion surrounding Council’s wanting to get rid of Carmichael most likely occurred during the in camera portion of the meeting.

There is no discussion listed in the minutes nor any record of any council member speaking on the issue out of camera.

Although not a recorded vote a confidential city hall source - speaking on condition of anonymity - told MJ Independent the vote was 7 - 0 unanimous to say goodbye to Carmichael.

The motion to dismiss Carmichael was made by Councillor Patrick Boyle.

The December 1, 2025 personnel committee minutes will be dealt with at the Monday December 15th meeting of Council.