Scanned, recopied or Internet copy, if there are errors, please e-mail me with corrections:
Opening comments: More at the end.
A good page to show the connections between the players - so far.
To the main Judicial Inquiry page - to the Hazel McCallion page.
Mississauga News - Aug. 9, 2010 - By (?)
Historic inquiry continues
Main players.
Justice Douglas Cunningham (left) will be presiding over the historic Mississauga judicial inquiry when it resumes today
in the Burnhamthorpe Rd. W. courthouse.
At the heart are Mayor Hazel McCallion (right) and her real estate agent son, Peter McCallion.
The main question is: Did the mayor have a conflict of interest in helping her
son as his company tried to buy land in the City Centre for a hotel and convention centre?
Did Mayor Hazel McCallion have a conflict of interest when she got involved in her developer son's business dealings? Or, was she just working on behalf of the City of Mississauga and helping to bring a major hotel and convention centre to town?
That's what Justice Douglas Cunningham is trying to determine at the ongoing Mississauga judicial inquiry.
It's also a hot topic of conversation for many residents.
The City of Mississauga Judicial Inquiry was established by a vote of City Council on Nov. 11, 2009.
It has been conducted in two sessions. The first half, which ran May 25 to June 15, examined a controversial Enersource Shareholders Agreement that gave unusual veto powers to the utility's minority owner, the giant Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (OMERS) pension fund.
The second — and highly contentious — part of the inquiry, which got underway July 8, is examining the mayor's role in a bid by a development company fronted by her son to buy a parcel of City Centre land from OMERS for the aforementioned hotel and convention centre.
Testimony resumes today.
The first witness this morning will be Barry Lyon, who was a consultant working for World Class Developments, the company fronted by Peter McCallion that tried to buy the land from OMERS. He'll be followed by Scott Walker, an associate with Barry Lyon Consulting Ltd.
The third witness scheduled to testify today is Shalini Alleluia, a recently retired employee of the City of Mississauga clerk's department. She was responsible for recording the minutes of City council meetings.
A discrepancy in the minutes of one meeting — where Mayor McCallion was recorded as declaring a conflict, when the video recording of the meeting showed she did not — helped to prompt the inquiry in the first place.
Following is a rundown of the key players in this historic drama that's unfolding in the Burnhamthorpe Rd. W. courthouse:
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At the heart of the inquiry is the much-loved and seemingly all-powerful Mayor McCallion. In short, she's accused of throwing her considerable political weight behind a failed $14.4-million bid to build a hotel and convention centre that would, among other things, possibly have made her son, Peter McCallion, a rich man.
For his part, Peter McCallion stood to make as much as $12 million selling condominiums as part of the scheme. In his testimony last week, he shed little light on the matter because, frankly, he claimed not to remember much.
Peter McCallion was the frontman for World Class Developments (WCD), the company that was allegedly using McCallion's influence with his famous mother to pressure OMERS into selling the land. The younger McCallion brought in various financiers including businessman Leo Couprie, family friend Murray Cook and builder Tony DeCicco, whose lawyer, Emilio Bisceglia, also invested in WCD.
When the deal fell through, former City manager Dave O'Brien — who happened to sit on the OMERS board of directors and is trustee of the McCallion family trust fund — offered to act as a go-between in negotiations between OMERS president and chief executive officer Michael Nobrega and WCD.
So how did we get here? There was a disagreement in council chambers over whether Mayor McCallion had indeed declared a conflict of interest in this matter. The mayor and the official minutes say she did; Ward 6 Councillor Carolyn Parrish and the video replay say she didn't.
Parrish led the drive to hold a formal inquiry. Enter Justice Cunningham and Commission counsel William McDowell, who are now leading the search for the truth.
The City's interest in all this is being handled by bow tie-wearing lawyer Clifford Lax, who's best known at this point for grilling Peter McCallion on the stand over two days last week.
And the story continues...
Comments by others - 36 - to this web-page at time of posting;
LLemon
Aug 14, 2010 12:04 PM
interesting summer reading
Great coverage, Mississauga news. More twists and turns than my summer fiction reading list.
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The Mississauga Muse
Aug 9, 2010 6:18 PM
@ Uatu, you wrote, "My favourite fantasy inquiry to test the real agenda of the hazelbots is to substitute Carolyn Parrish and her family for Hazel and the McCallions."
Yep. And I've tossed out the fraud in the affidavit where Peter McCallion admits to signing as Authorized Signing Officer knowing what Authorized Signing Officer means and then signing his name to the right of his own name. AND borrowing $50,000 knowing he didn't have the where withal to cover that money if it were called. Maybe it's just the way my parents raised me but they'd say that I should be ASHAMED to swindle like that.
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Uatu
Aug 9, 2010 5:41 PM
@Muse
My favourite fantasy inquiry to test the real agenda of the hazelbots is to substitute Carolyn Parrish and her family for Hazel and the McCallions. I've thrown that out there a couple of times but the Fiends of Hazel won't touch it. We all know why.
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The Mississauga Muse
Aug 9, 2010 5:31 PM
What I don't get is how come some girl fakes cancer to get "donations" and lands in jail for fraud
And another guy fakes being a visionary, knowingly signs an affidavit as Authorized Signing Officer for a company and signs to the right of first signature too, borrows $50,000 that he KNOWS he can't pay back... And NOTHING. And it's worse. Buddy's not paid taxes in years! And Mommy craps on how parents don't raise their kids right today!
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The Mississauga Muse
Aug 9, 2010 5:26 PM
@ ComeOn, you wrote, " Say It Together Now -- Hazel McCallion Created This Mess She Needs To Come Clean Why is it that the Hazel apologists take issue with facts slam others with their name calling and offer nothing."
Psst! It's WORKED for 30 plus years!
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The Mississauga Muse
Aug 9, 2010 5:25 PM
@ ComeOn. REPEAT! HAZEL MCCALLION IS ABOVE THE LAW!
Ask yourself what would've already happened to David Miller if HE and his son were the subject of an Inquiry that's already revealed this much. Or that Torontonians discovered Miller's Grade12-educated son with two suspensions of his real estate license, not having paid taxes in years, who borrowed $50,000 that he knew he couldn't cover and who saw himself as "visionary" of a mega 4-Star hotel/convention centre got such access to his Daddy and Daddy's Staff... how do you think Torontonians would react at this point in the Inquiry?
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ComeOn
Aug 9, 2010 5:25 PM
Say It Together Now -- Hazel McCallion Created This Mess She Needs To Come Clean
Why is it that the Hazel apologists take issue with facts slam others with their name calling and offer nothing. No defense of their above the law leader just more dribble. Read the affadvits. Read the documents presented to the Inquiry. Tell us the pie in the sky scenario that EXPLAINS it all so nicely with a little bow on top. Go for it. You bore me with your lack of insight, knowledge or basic understanding. I want better Hazelbots to play with these ones are broken. Send us the smarter ones.
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ComeOn
Aug 9, 2010 5:15 PM
CR Spin Will Not Save Hazel McCallion From Hazel McCallion Scandal
Yes she is actually she was convicted and now stands before us abusing her office yet again. I know for you signing your name to documents submitting documents to a court of law and claiming later that they were a lie this might be normal in the McCallion household were I forgot I signed that and oops is that my signature and I met them 20 times but I cannot remember why but I know for a fact it was not anything that could get me into trouble and mystery minutes that no one can explain. Normal Normal Normal in your world CR/SNAP/MANTIS or Peter McCallion take your pick.
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The Mississauga Muse
Aug 9, 2010 5:10 PM
Just a reminder. Letter to the Editor Geoffrey Kemp, Aug 05, 2010
Quote. "Dear Editor: The speculative tone and innuendo of the reports and commentary in Wednesday’s (Aug. 4) edition of The News does little for the reputation of the paper. We can all speculate as to how the judicial inquiry is progressing, but the only opinion of value is that of the Commissioner." THAT'S **IT**!
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The Mississauga Muse
Aug 9, 2010 5:08 PM
This one I didn't know. The Globe and Mail Hazel's son faces a lawsuit involving the Stavro family, a free Cadillac and nude photos"
"Peter McCallion’s other troubles" Quote. "Yet former colleagues add more dimensions, depicting him as a canny, outgoing operator with lots of deals on the go and an enviable access to the local real-estate scene. “He has a reputation of being ambitious in his field,” said Tom Urbaniak, a political scientist at Cape Breton University and author of Her Worship, a biography of Ms. McCallion. “His name was everywhere.” Another, darker image has emerged from a 2003 lawsuit, which he denies, in which an ex-lover alleges he took secret commissions and blackmailed her with nude photos to take a larger share of their earnings." That's gonna be one remarkable She-Said/He-Can't-Remember trial!
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The Mississauga Muse
Aug 9, 2010 5:02 PM
@ Uatu: Globe and Mail: Mayor McCallion attended nearly 20 meetings with her son, inquiry hears
"At one dinner arranged by Mr. McCallion in August, 2005, the mayor met with Tony DeCicco, who would later become WCD’s chief shareholder, to discuss an in-camera item that had come up at a municipal conference. The item – ostensibl...y a piece of private information – related to the same pension fund that owned the land WCD was trying to buy for the development. Taking the stand for the second day in a row, Mr. McCallion denied that the land was the topic of discussion that night. Under cross-examination, he said it was likely that the development was discussed at later meetings with his mother and his partners in WCD, but could not remember them. 'So far, I’ve asked you about every meeting and every phone call, and you’ve had no recollection of any of them,' said City of Mississauga lawyer Clifford Lax. 'These were over two years ago,' Mr. McCallion said."
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Uatu
Aug 9, 2010 4:57 PM
@Muse
The hazelbots don't read transcripts. They already "know" what they want to believe and so any transcripts that contradict them must be wrong. Just look at the comments here: mindless minions quoting from their talking points. "There was no wrongdoing. You will be assimilated." Virtually every article and opinion published since this Inquiry started has condemned the Mayor and her behaviour but her buttkissers continue to deny that anything wrong has been revealed. What's even more apalling is that they see nothing wrong with the incompetence and mismanagement that has also been exposed. "Hazel is our god, all praise the infallible Hazel, the unbelievers must be eliminated, braaiiiinzzz..." (They say that last bit because they are desparate for brains, they have none of their own.)
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tankerone
Aug 9, 2010 4:53 PM
One opinion....
Any one else?
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The Mississauga Muse
Aug 9, 2010 4:37 PM
Gotta wonder how many commenters here actually read the TRANSCRIPTS...
But you know... who has the time. :-)
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The Mississauga Muse
Aug 9, 2010 4:36 PM
@ ComeOn, you wrote, "Hazel is subject to same laws as you and I." NO SHE'S **NOT**!
Sorry. But that statement is preposterous!
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The Mississauga Muse
Aug 9, 2010 4:33 PM
@ tankerone. Never mind. I found it.
Well that was 45 seconds I won't ever get back...
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The Mississauga Muse
Aug 9, 2010 4:30 PM
@ tankerone, please help, I can't find your reference
Hi there. I went to frontpagemag.com and tried to find Stephen Brown's November 24 2004 article. Also, this looks like a right-wing Blog and not a valid Traditional Media site. (Left-wing Blogs are not reliable either). But now you've piqued my interest so can you give us a direct URL to this article? Thanks.
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The Mississauga Muse
Aug 9, 2010 4:23 PM
@ microcrashboy You haven't bothered reading the
"I beleive this is nothing more than a attack on Hazel. Honestly the majority and I mean the majority of people in Mississauga love her and beleive in her and don't give a crap about all this!" I agree! That's what I've been saying all along. The majority who voted (23%) don't care about the fraud and corruption and lies at the City. Just their wallets. Last I marvel at your comments! MY but you warble the Party Line like a Made In Canada quasi-fascist! Congrats! While I know your neuron is seal shut, for others who want to read what the rest of the world is writing about the Inquiry, check out Google News at: http://tinyurl.com/3xup65l
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The Mississauga Muse
Aug 9, 2010 4:18 PM
Time for this again. Royson James "Step one: End the denials."
"To the army of Hazel McCallion apologists — many itching to re-elect her Oct. 25 — testimony out of the Mississauga judicial inquiry must be painful. At best, Peter McCallion used his mom, the good graces of her Streetsville home and the tax-supported resources of the mayor’s office to feather his own nest." "At worst, he was aided and abetted by the powerful mayor mom who seems to have her hand in every deal, a finger in every transaction, and bared knuckles at the ready to drive hesitant developers to the altar." "Whatever you believe, the public process is badly broken in Mississauga." "'I didn’t do anything wrong. There is no conflict of interest here.' Maybe McCallion believes this, after almost a half century in the public eye — a peculiar “see no evil” focus that exists in Mississauga." " Such behaviour is clearly forbidden in most municipalities. We hope."
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The Mississauga Muse
Aug 9, 2010 4:14 PM
@ Missy2 HERE ARE THREE FACTS (from the court transcripts)
You wrote, "Why not instead focus on the facts and how the facts may drive the end result or finding. I'll tell you why not, because the facts to date do not support the preconceived notion of the Barberites that any wrongdoing occurred. So instead we get diversions. Funny how those who have pontificated so much on these boards about the importance of being informed and taking the time to review the facts are the first to ignore the facts and instead manufacture convenient diversions." YOU HAVEN'T READ THE COURT TRANSCRIPTS! Peter McCallion signed an affidavit as Authorithized Signing Officer AND HE ADMITTED HE KNEW HE WAS NOT! Then he signed his name to that right of that signature. Then he admitted to borrowing $50,000 knowing he didn't have the where withall to pay it back if the loan was called up. THOSE ARE *FACTS*. Explain to me how that's not fraud!
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ConcernedResident
Aug 9, 2010 3:53 PM
Ya Right
No, obviously I do not. Just sick of you throwing that comment around about the cost of land. You are truly a chicken little running around shouting the same thing. Sorry my friend Hazel has NOT been PROVEN in conflict, despite the threads you try to sew together.
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ComeOn
Aug 9, 2010 3:27 PM
CR So You Agree that The Hazel McCallion Scandal Is The Worst Abuse of Office In Mississauga History?
You did not take issue with the several points I raised about Hazel and her abuse of office past or present for that matter. Your beef is the price of land? So you think it is OK that she can break our meagre little laws as long as the land price is one you can live with? You are a strange one I will give you that -- say hi to your brother for me Peter McCallion!
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tankerone
Aug 9, 2010 2:17 PM
maybe not u
try archives of frontpage.com or google the name of the writer
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Uatu
Aug 9, 2010 2:11 PM
@Missy2--still beating up straw men
You consistently misrepresent the issues to suit your attacks. Of course, if you dealt with the true issues then you would have to shut up. What is your definition of "wrongdoing", Missy2? Apparently it doesn't include attending meetings at your home and in restaurants at which you discuss the financial interests of both your family and the City of which you are Mayor. This has been explained before, @Missy2, but I'll state it one more time: EVEN IF THE MAYOR NEVER SPOKE A WORD HER PRESENCE AT THOSE MEETINGS IS AUTOMATICALLY A CONFLICT OF INTEREST. This principle was firmly established by the Courts in one of the earliest cases heard under the Municipal Act, Moll and Fisher (1979) 96 DLR (3d) 506 (Ont. Div. Crt.), and it's been reaffirmed since. Why isn't violating the Municipal Act wrongdoing?
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ConcernedResident
Aug 9, 2010 2:11 PM
@tankerone
I tried this: http://97.74.65.51/readArticle.aspx?ARTID=10429 & couldn't get anything. Am I doing something wrong?
tankerone
Aug 9, 2010 1:55 PM
one "t" in article sorry
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tankerone
Aug 9, 2010 1:54 PM
try this
http://97.74.65.51/readArtticle.aspx?ARTID=10429 Try that and read 3 last paragraph( a good one) Let me know if you read it Concerened.
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ConcernedResident
Aug 9, 2010 1:50 PM
@Tankerone
Can you be more specific? Not following you on this.
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Think About It
Aug 9, 2010 1:36 PM
Mr Paul Taylor/microcrashboy has fallen for Ms McCallion's 24/7 campaigning. 22% voter turnout is the worst across Canada and far from any majority
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tankerone
Aug 9, 2010 1:33 PM
Get your facts straight.....
Try this web site..... frontpagemag.com,written by Stephen Brown from November 24 2004 . After reading that article, remind me who started this inquiry.
ConcernedResident
Aug 9, 2010 1:09 PM
ComeOn
Get your facts straight. Prove the purchase price was inflated. You are the ONLY one making that accusation. FACT Real estate prices did NOT fall off the table during the recession in the GTA.
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ComeOn
Aug 9, 2010 1:06 PM
Hazel McCallion Scandal is based on fact not emotion
Hazel is subject to same laws as you and I. Let that seep into your reasoning. She abused her office before so it is not a stretch that she could do it again. The evidence is a searing indictment of abuse of office and a sad sad way to conclude a career in public service. The abuse this time began in 2003 (at least) and extends to 2009. NOT a few minutes of poor judgement but a more calculated ongoing abuse of office that dragged several players into it. Many of these players were involved in McCallion personal business already and probably failed to see the lines they crossed as it appears it was more business as usual for this crowd. To suggest that the evidence before us is less than damning travels beyond a misrepresentation into something more like a desperate spin to save Mom's career as Mayor.
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ComeOn
Aug 9, 2010 12:59 PM
Hazel McCallion Scandal Will Live ON As Mississauga's Worst Abuse of Office!
I love reading the blogs by those who blindly defend the Mayor without a shred of fact. They attack others who cite facts called people "Barbarites" is this one of your so called facts? I point to FACT: Hazel was convicted of abusing her office before: Fact: Hazel admitted to attending meetings to push her son's deal. Fact: Peter McCallion in his own sworn affadavit -- a court document -- admits to owning and driving the entire WCD venture. Fact: the Enersource deal (for which our Mayor has NEVER publicly condemned despite their slipping the vetos into it WITHOUT Council approval) is on a parrell timeline and the SAME principals at are both sets of meetings. Fact: City Council was NOT given the facts when they voted to buy the same land at the same price but in during an economic contraction where the land was worth less. This purchased pushed a settlement with son Peter and his partners for several MILLION dollars. Had this scheme worked the McCallion family stood to make HUNDREDS of millions of
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Paul Taylor
microcrashboy
Aug 9, 2010 11:36 AM
Leave the lady alone!
I beleive this is nothing more than a attack on Hazel. Honestly the majority and I mean the majority of people in Mississauga love her and beleive in her and don't give a crap about all this! This is nothign more than a waste of taxpayers money! Mississauga is the only government that is not in the red! For that reason alone is justification to leave her alone. This is nothing more than a political slander campagn. Let the voters decide and they will how many times has she won without even so much as a lawn sign? That is true democary at work! The powers that be are affraid of that let the voters decide because they know what they will do! Elect her again as always!
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Missy2
Aug 9, 2010 10:52 AM
It's not about having "fun". Why not instead focus on the facts and how the facts may drive the end result or finding. I'll tell you why not, because the facts to date do not support the preconceived notion of the Barberites that any wrongdoing occurred. So instead we get diversions. Funny how those who have pontificated so much on these boards about the importance of being informed and taking the time to review the facts are the first to ignore the facts and instead manufacture convenient diversions. I'll say it again, all we know is that the Mayor worked to get a hotel built which had the support of Council. Yes, her son stood to gain on the deal, but there is no evidence that she put her son's interests ahead of the City's. Furthermore everyone knew going in of her son's involvement because she declared it on several occasions. Unless something new is introduced soon, this will have been a $5MM waste of taxpayer doaalrs and someone (or several people) will take the fall in the next election.
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The Mississauga Muse
Aug 9, 2010 9:18 AM
For fun try this.
Read this article but substitute "Mayor Jane Smith" for "Mayor Hazel McCallion". And substitute "Steven Smith" for "Peter McCallion" for . Oh yeah. And substitute "Mary Jones" for "Carolyn Parrish". You know... to see how an objective person might view all this...
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