Canada PoliticsBeleaguered Toronto Mayor Rob Ford wants to eliminate city hall watchdog offices
If they disagree with you, get rid of them.
That seems to be the strategy of Toronto Mayor Rob Ford who, on Thursday, suggested that three city council watchdog positions should be eliminated.
Ford contends that the work done by the integrity commissioner, the ombudsman, the lobbyist registrar and their respective staffs are too pricey for taxpayers and could be done by one part-time lawyer on retainer.
"They have 20 people, they're tripping over themselves," Ford told the Globe and Mail.
"They're trying to make themselves look busy."
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Coincidentally — or not — Ford's idea came on the same week the three departments, who all happen to be headed by women, embarrassed the mayor and his brother with condemning reports.
The Toronto Star chronicled the reports in a column published late Thursday:
- "Integrity commissioner Janet Leiper wrote that Ford and his brother, Councillor Doug Ford, violated council's code of conduct in April by publicly disparaging the city's chief medical officer on their radio show after he recommended lower speed limits to save lives."
- "Ombudsman Fiona Crean undermined Ford and his allies by disclosing proof that the mayor's office had sent a list of preferred board candidates to city staff."
- "Lobbyist registrar Linda Gehrke said she has concerns about whether two casino lobbyists breached city rules...The mayor is a casino proponent."
Ford will have an opportunity to oust at least one of the watchdogs very soon.
According to the Star, city council will debate extending Ombudsman Crean's contract beyond November 2013.
"She's become very political," councillor Doug Ford told the Globe.
"I'll tell you how Rob and I will be voting and that will be 'No.' We don't want her reappointed."
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While the Fords and their city council allies might be able to get rid of Crean, they won't be able to ax the position. The integrity officer and the ombudsman are positions legislated by the provincial government, introduced after a computer leasing scandal at Toronto City Hall in 2005.
The Fords obviously don't think the positions are that critical anymore.
But with recent allegations of the mayor using municipal resources and staff for his youth football program and stories about city hall staff cutting lawns and removing eye sores ahead of a party at the Ford family company, I think accountability officers are needed now more than ever.
Don't you?
