SAINT JOHN, N.B. – Saint John’s outgoing deputy mayor believes an “accidental unauthorized change” to the city’s pension reform package needs to be looked into more to ensure accountability and transparency at city hall.

Stephen Chase believes the change, which several council members do not remember approving, could have lead to some city staff to retire early with a full pension plan.

Chase says the new council needs to take measures so they’re not dealing with important city issues against a tight deadline.

“That’s when you see the information being lost, decisions being rushed into, the public not being able to digest it and provide input. That is poor accountability.”

Pat Woods, city manager for Saint John, has since removed the change from the package.