“PLEASE GIVE US THE ONTARIO OMBUDSMAN,” MISSISSAUGAWATCH ASKS MISSISSAUGA COUNCIL TO SHINE THE *LIGHT*
December 8th, 2009
As mentioned in my previous Blog, a week ago Wednesday, I was at the last day of “Sharpen Your Teeth with Advanced Investigative Training” which is, according to the Ontario Ombudsman’s press release, “an intensive 3 ½-day training course devoted to planning, conducting, writing and releasing major administrative and oversight investigations.”
I was some-kind-of-wonderful.
But being there also meant that I missed last Wednesday’s General Committee meeting and especially a chance to oppose:
Item 3, “Renewal of the Investigator Services Agreement between the Corporation of the City of Mississauga and Local Authorities Services Limited (“LAS”) with respect to closed meeting Investigator Services.”
The item will come up again at Council tomorrow under Committee Reports and I’ve signed up for yet another deputation.
General Committee Report – Renewal of the Investigator Services Agreement
between the Corporation of the City of Mississauga and Local Authorities Services
Limited (“LAS”) with respect to closed meeting Investigator Services
Ursula Keuper-Bennett wishes to address Council with respect to Item 3 on the
General Committee Agenda – Renewal of the Investigator Services Agreement
between the Corporation of the City of Mississauga and Local Authorities
Services Limited (“LAS”) with respect to closed meeting Investigator Services
What follows is my deputation. For the record. And just in case another citizen might want to try this at “home”.
“PLEASE GIVE US THE ONTARIO OMBUDSMAN” –MISSISSAUGAWATCH ASKS MISSISSAUGA COUNCIL TO SHINE THE *LIGHT*
Good morning, Madam Mayor, Members of Council.
I was unable to attend last Wednesday’s General Committee and wish to address Item 3.
“That Council direct that the Investigator Services Agreement dated December 12, 2007 between the Corporation of the City of Mississauga and Local Authority Services Limited (“LAS”) be renewed” –for another two years.” etc etc.
Staff did not do due diligence when tabling this report for your consideration as will become obvious soon enough.
I ask that Council strike the “hire Local Authority Services” recommendation down–that is, defeat the motion so as to grant Mississauga residents a free, independent and timely investigation into closed door meetings through the Office of our Ontario Ombudsman.
Please just vote LAS down.
Councillor Iannicca, back in May you asked me what was my “Ask”. You just got one of them.
I believe all that’s needed is that the recommendation be reintroduced to the floor –and that if you wish to go with the Ombudsman, all you have to do is defeat it.
However, back on December 10, 2007, the Mayor and Councillors of the Town of Fort Erie set an example for Ontario municipalities and did it Right.
And shone the Light.
I had the privilege to be in attendance as the Town of Fort Erie did their due diligence and went with the Ontario Ombudsman. I’d like to show that video now for everyone’s benefit, so you can make an informed decision.
And for the record. It’s 8:52 minutes.
[SHOW VIDEO]
Video: “FORT ERIE APPOINTS THE ONTARIO OMBUDSMAN AND SHINES THE *LIGHT* (8:52 min)
(Click here to go directly to the clip on YouTube)
As you know, if you reject LAS then nothing else is required of you since under Bill 130 if a municipality chooses not to appoint an Investigator, the Provincial Ombudsman is automatically appointed as Investigator; however to do it right, as Fort Erie did, there should be a specific motion.
So through you, Madam Mayor, to any two Councillors committed to providing the residents of Mississauga with an independent, impartial and free investigation through the Office of the Ontario Ombudsman.
One to move, “That The Corporation of the City of Mississauga hereby consents to the use of the Office of the Ombudsman for the investigation of any closed meetings in accordance with the provisions of the Municipal Act, 2001.” Submitted.
One to second.
And enough of you to vote in favour to shine the Light.
UPDATE: Thursday, December 10, 2009. 1:46 PM. Because of yesterday’s long list of Mississauga Council deputations, I was not able to give my “Please Give Us the Ontario Ombudsman and shine the *Light*” plea before Council. I had to take my mother to a Brampton eye examination for upcoming cataract surgery and the roads were bad enough that I left ultra-early to make sure that we arrived on time.
Before leaving Council, I asked my good friend and sometimes colleague, Donald Barber to stand in for me and read my deputation to Council. I handed me my Ontario Ombudsman’s baseball cap and Barber had only minutes to prepare. The last thing I said to him on my way out was “Don’t get arrested.”
I watched the Rogers telecast and I’m really proud of Mississauga’s “Watcher”.
Unfortunately it wasn’t that long before Barber too had to leave and he so wasn’t aware of what Council ultimately decided. Our TV failed to record that portion of the Rogers Cable 10 telecast where Council dealt with the General Committee Report and the “hiring of investigator” Staff recommendation.
So, Were my efforts and those of Donald Barber once again for nought?
Don’t know.
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RELATED LINKS
The Ontario Ombudsman Twitter
OMBUDSMAN OF ONTARIO website
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