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Opening comments: More at the end.
To the main Judicial Inquiry page - to the Hazel McCallion page.
Comments by others to this web-page 2.
Mississauga News - Oct 5, 2009 - By Radhika Panjwani, rpanjwani@mississauga.net Parameters for inquiry in the works
Terms of reference for a judicial inquiry into whether Mayor Hazel McCallion broke conflict of interest rules is expected to be released by the end of this month.
The judicial inquiry will probe McCallion’s involvement in a $14.4 million land deal brokered by her son, Peter McCallion.
Once it begins, notes City of Mississauga solicitor Mary Ellen Bench, the City will have no control over the process.
“It’s entirely up to that judge,” Bench told the National Post.
Last week, council voted 6-4 for a judicial review after a legal opinion by law firm McLean & Kerr, hired by the City, stated that McCallion contravened conflict of interest laws.
“I think it (inquiry) will unwind an enormous ball of strings so that we can hear what exactly went on with that deal all summer,” Ward 6 Councillor Parrish told The News. “It's a mess. There are too many accusations and counter accusations and I am hoping quite clearly that it absolves the mayor.”
Ward 1 Councillor Carmen Corbasson, who also voted for the judicial review, said it wasn’t done to malign McCallion. The objective of the exercise, she says, is to ensure that there’s no ambiguity on what constitutes a conflict of interest.
“This is not about Hazel,” said Corbasson. “This is about what we can do to make this situation more transparent in the future.”
Corbasson, however, remained critical of McCallion’s role in her son’s land deal and cited an example from her personal life to illustrate the point.
“My daughters own a flower shop in Port Credit,” she said. “I would not compromise what residents elected me to do by influencing the City to give contracts to my daughters.”
Back in 1981-82, a judge ruled McCallion was in breach of conflict provisions by being present during discussions about a rezoning issue involving an area where she owned land.
Comments by others, 2, to this web-page;
The Mississauga Muse Oct 8, 2009 8:08 AM
Uatu, agreed, it's likely the judicial review won't include the cover-up but This has surely got to be the FIRST outside review in the City of Mississauga's history. MissyNews states, "Once it begins, notes City of Mississauga solicitor Mary Ellen Bench, the City will have no control over the process." That of course, is why the City of Mississauga (and most municipalities) quake in their boots at the thought of the Province extending the Ontario Ombudsman's authority into investigating municipalities. And of course that's why we-citizens are treated to the bogus investigations of our complaints about City Staff by the very same City Staff about who we are complaining! (Confirmed just recently by Freedom of Information) Also. Funny but reading all of this? I keep smiling --pondering just how many shredders are shredding documents and emails right now. :-) Signed, The (Turst, Qualty, Exselance) Mississauga Muse * Agree 1
Uatu Oct 6, 2009 12:00 PM
It's not about Hazel Councillor Corbasson is right, it's not about the Mayor. It's about the cover-up, but I'm betting that the terms of reference won't include that. * Agree 1
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