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Opening comments: More at the end.
Hazel McCallion wanted the Judicial Inquiry to investigate the claims of wrong doing - "If people have put allegations to you (the Mayor) then it Is time to put rumours to rest."
One of the first articles and notes another key point - "Since the election of the new Council, nearly 100 civil servants left the city's employment, and for months City Hall was rocked with staff departures." Staff leaving in large numbers.
In the words of Mayor Martin Dobkin - "Over the past several months a number of persons have come to me and made serious and startling allegations of malfeasance in business, including allegations of bribery, influence peddling, obstruction of justice, assault and the unlawful acceptance of benefits. These allegations extend back several years".
To the 1975 Mississauga Judicial Inquiry - Municipal Investigation web-page.
To the main Judicial Inquiry page - to the Hazel McCallion page.
Mississauga Review - Apr. 30, 1975 - By ?
Mississauga to be Investigated
Mayor Cites Bribery, Influence peddling
Mississauga's municipal administration is about to be investigated.
Monday night Mayor Martin Dobkin dropped the bombshell on Council, the Press, and a large group of residents in the Council Chamber when he said:
"Over the past several months a number of persons have come to me and made serious and startling allegations of malfeasance in business, including allegations of bribery, influence peddling, obstruction of justice, assault and the unlawful acceptance of benefits. These allegations extend back several years".
The Mayor said some of the charges had been made to him in writing, and had been deposited with the proper authorities.
Council, in a standing vote, unanimously endorsed the Mayors' request to have a County Court Judge conduct an investigation Into the past conduct of the City's business.
The Mayor said he was taking the action under Sections 210 and 240 of the Ontario Municipal Act which requires the Head of a Municipal to take appropriate action when faced with charges pertaining to municipal corruption "to do otherwise would appoint to dereliction of duty" said Mayor Dobkin. Most (but not all) of the Councillors were taken by surprise at the Mayors' charges but agreed to uphold Mayor Dobkins', request.
On questioning by Councillor Ron Searle as to specific charges, Mayor Dobkin said he could not quote specifics, and said he had not discussed it previously with Council in committee because "the Mayor is in a difficult position if he calls Council together to discuss specific people".
City Solicitor, Basil Clark said that no law of immunity applied to protect councillors from law suits, as applies in the Ontario Legislature and the House of Commons.
Councillor Searle stated "these generalities are so damning that it smacks of McCarthyism. He asked Solicitor Clark "do you know of any specific charges against Staff or Council"? Mr. Clark replied "None specific that I know". He added, "In my capacity as City Solicitor, the Mayor has related to me some number of the allegations which have given rise to the resolution, and he has sought my advice in the course of action he should take. It has been my advice that in view of the information that has been reposed in him, the Mayor should sponsor the resolution".
Mr. Clark stated "The Mayor is in possession of information which puts him in an invidious position. In my opinion the information that has come to him requires he take a stand. If there is nothing to back up this (judicial inquiry) then another tribunal (the public) will decide the issue at a later date.
Some of the Council comments were:
COUNCILLOR CAYE KILLABY - "It makes me sick to have to support this. It will see names dragged into the mire, destroy the credibility of the City, and do nothing for Staff morale".
COUNCILLOR FRANK McKECHNIE - "It is unfortunate that we have come to this stage. In the last eighteen months this Council has not been pleasant with a number of innuendos".
COUNCILLOR HAROLD KENNEDY - "This comes as a shock. I never expected to see such a thing come across my desk. As I read it I looked for a list of allegations. Why did you not call an in-camera meeting?
COUNCILLOR DAVID CULHAM - "I am supporting this (judicial inquiry). As a member of Council you hear much, but to repeat it would be unfair to the people concerned. With the type of rumours that have gone on such an investigation could lay much to rest. It should be investigated fully and placed before the people".
COUNCILLOR HAZEL McCALLION - "If people have put allegations to you (the Mayor) then it Is time to put rumours to rest. This Council has serious questions as to the departure of Staff. I hope this would uncover why staff did leave".
Since the election of the new Council, nearly 100 civil servants left the city's employment, and for months City Hall was rocked with staff departures.
The resolution passed by Council calls for a judicial inquiry to study "the conduct of elected officers and officials, employees of various departments, and appointees to various Boards and Committees of the City of Mississauga, and the predecessor Town of Mississauga".
Also to establish guidelines of conduct for Council members, municipal employees, appointees to various Boards and Committees; and to inquire into and report on Conflict of Interest guidelines, the relationship between business interests and elected officials and civic employees, the expenditure of monies by elected officials and, civic employees, and to inquire into and report on any improper conduct regarding the matters stated.
It was stated that the judicial inquiry could take from six months to more than a year, depending on the volume of charges and subsequent investigation required.
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