MICO 2014

The City of Toronto Integrity Commissioner investigated a leak of confidential information regarding appointments to Build Toronto, which was published by a local newspaper prior to City Council's consideration.

The investigation could not determine the source of the leak or whether a member of Council was responsible.

The reporter declined to be interviewed, and pursuing the matter through legal channels would involve complex issues of journalist-source privilege.

The Commissioner recommended that City Council receive the report for information and consider the cost-benefit of pursuing further legal action.

The Integrity Commissioner for the City of Brampton reported on a forensic audit of expenses incurred by the Mayor and members of Council.

The Commissioner found that the Mayor violated the Council Code of Conduct by purchasing Latitude flight passes that were freely upgradeable to business class, contrary to City policy.

The Commissioner also found that several Councillors contravened the Code by expensing tickets for family members and other personal expenditures, and recommended reimbursement.

The Commissioner further recommended that the new Council review and update the Code of Conduct and related policies to establish clear, specific rules.

The Integrity Commissioner investigated a complaint alleging that the Deputy Mayor should have declared a conflict of interest and refrained from voting on a matter involving a development corporation owned by his lifelong friend and campaign fundraising chair.

The Commissioner found that the Deputy Mayor's participation in the vote was inappropriate and risked the public perception of a quid pro quo, contrary to the spirit of the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act.

However, concluding that it was an error in judgment and noting the Deputy Mayor's commitment not to vote on future matters involving the individual, the Commissioner recommended no sanctions.

A citizen filed a complaint alleging that a municipal councillor violated the Code of Conduct by accepting an improper gift or benefit from a fundraising event held in his honour.

The Integrity Commissioner investigated and found that the councillor's staff organized the event with a third-party company, selling tickets to lobbyists and businesses doing work with the City.

The event generated an $80,000 cash gift for the councillor.

The Commissioner concluded that the gift did not fall within any permitted exceptions under Article IV of the Code of Conduct and recommended that City Council suspend the councillor's remuneration for 90 days.

The Integrity Commissioner submitted a supplementary report regarding a previous finding that the respondent Mayor breached the Code of Conduct by making robocalls to residents.

Following the Mayor's announcement of a leave of absence, the Commissioner recommended that City Council defer consideration of the report and the requested apology until his return.

A citizen filed a complaint with the Integrity Commissioner alleging that a City Councillor breached the Code of Conduct by referring to him as a 'criminal' in a newspaper interview.

The Integrity Commissioner found that the comment was false and constituted discreditable conduct under Article XIV of the Code of Conduct.

Because the Councillor subsequently issued an unqualified apology and retraction, the Commissioner recommended that no further sanction be imposed, but recommended reimbursing the complainant's legal costs up to $5,000.

The Integrity Commissioner investigated complaints that a city councillor violated the Council Code of Conduct by using public funds and resources for her mayoral election campaign.

The complaints alleged that the councillor's publicly funded ward website contained links to her campaign website, that she improperly used constituent email lists for campaign fundraising, and that she used public funds to brand her campaign website address.

The Commissioner found that while the website links violated the Code, they were removed promptly and were likely inadvertent.

The Commissioner also found no breach of privacy rules regarding the email lists and no intentional misuse of public funds for branding.

The Commissioner recommended that the report be received by Council without sanctions.

Councillor Paul Ainslie filed a complaint against Mayor Rob Ford alleging that the Mayor violated the Code of Conduct for Members of Council by sending automated robocalls to the Councillor's constituents.

The calls criticized the Councillor's vote on the Scarborough subway expansion, stating he did not listen to his constituents.

The Integrity Commissioner investigated and found that the Mayor breached Article XIV (Discreditable Conduct) by unfairly attacking the Councillor's reputation without seeking to understand his position or acknowledging his community consultations.

The Commissioner found no breach of Article VI regarding the use of City resources, as the Mayor paid for the calls personally and the use of his office phone was nominal.

The Commissioner recommended that City Council adopt the finding of a violation and request that the Mayor apologize to the Councillor in writing and on the floor of Council.