I didn’t intend for this to become a recurring feature but it seems Lobbying for a Registry may be just that — at least until there’s a real lobbyist registry up and running.
Today’s installment will either present a coincidence or the beginning of a pattern. Only time will tell which one it is.
Councillor Karen Stintz demanded an apology at the November 27 North York Community Council meeting after Councillor John Fillion accused her and others who voted in support of a housing development [PDF] in his ward (that he opposed) of favouring a lobbyist. Why was Councillor Stintz the first to her feet to decry Councillor Filion’s unparliamentary remark? Turns out, according to a well-placed source, the lobbyist on that file is the Lastman-era North York councillor Milton Berger, who once represented what is now Councillor Stintz’s Ward 16. According to the City of Toronto election donation tracker, Berger donated a total of $400 during the 2006 municipal election, all of which went to Councillor Stintz.
While I wouldn’t draw the conclusion that a lobbyist’s influence dictated Councillor Stintz’s vote based on two $200 donations or on the unsubstantiated allegation of a spurned Councillor Filion, it underlines the need for more transparency in the government relations at Toronto City Hall. Thankfully, the City already makes it easy (though it is a relatively obscure link to find) to query an online database of election contributors. The next step has to be fast-tracking the lobbyist registry. It can’t come soon enough.
Miller Tames Office Budget Issue, For Now
For a number of weeks, I’ve felt that Mayor David Miller has been wearing far too much of Councillor Giorgio Mammoliti‘s disregard for the purpose of his office budget. While many councillors need to do a better job accounting for the money they spend, Councillor Mammoliti’s spending habits are what get the Rob Fords of the world elected and keep words like ‘pig’ and ‘trough’ in the headlines. I don’t care if it is a “charity golf tournament,” there’s no reason in the world Councillor Mammoliti had to charge five meals to taxpayers as part of organizing it.
Then yesterday, Mayor Miller, who runs a tight ship when it comes to his own office budget, tamed this out of control news story when he announced that he asked the City Clerk to consolidate five mushy policies into one decisive document.
Realigning the discourse on office budgets to one of policies that predate his mayoralty rather than individual lapses in judgement was a politically savvy decision by the Mayor. But now that His Worship has directed City staff to draw up a new policy, he’ll need to be ready for Round 2 of this debate when the policy goes before Executive Committee, then City Council. At that point, we will surely see motions to cut the amount allocated for office budgets and conduct random audits of councillors’ spending in addition to several other sticky propositions.
The only prediction I’ll make for the outcome of this debate is that Council will spend too much time debating this issue relative its importance.
Photo of Members Lounge by Angora Bunny.
Photos of councillors courtesy the City of Toronto.
4 comments
“Why was Councillor Stintz the first to her feet to decry Councillor Filion’s unparliamentary remark?”
She, Minnan-Wong, and Feldman (who all happen to sit next to each other) actually all reacted at the exact same moment. Probably because the comment was directed at the three of them.
It would be nice to see if David Miller would allow all expense reports to be released to the public.There are expenditures that even freedom of information requests don’t work.The city uses “for staff eyes only” on a regular basis.I think this is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg.The public must know where their money is being spent, whether it is for espresso machines,bunny costumes or those expensive trips to different parts of the world that councillors feel they are entitled too.Then we can start the intensive investigation as to capitol project expenditures and those super expensive light fixtures that the city has fallen in love with.
I haven’t sat up at night thinking about this, but can anybody come up with a compelling reason why City Hall shouldn’t release all digital financial information it has?
Certainly certain things should be excluded, bank account numbers and that sort of thing, but a little more detail than the annual report would be nice.
They don’t have to worry about formatting, I’m sure an interested citizen who knows databases (Hi!) would be happy to create some relevant tables.
It won’t be released because it is too damaging to this city council.The auditor general is already having a tough time keeping up with the waste and incompetent spending.Councillors aren’t interested in anything that could jeopardize their re-election efforts.A public that is not informed is a public that will vote(for u know who!)