So Sarah and I took a trip down to University Avenue to visit with Janet Leiper, the Integrity Commissioner for the City of Toronto. I’m pretty sure you can guess that the topic of discussion was our less than lustrous mayor and his continuing antics. Specifically, we were curious to know what steps could be taken to oust the man (and I use that word lightly), and what her office’s role could be in that.

Janet is a surprisingly youthful and slim woman (for someone who listens to the bitching and moaning of the city all day), and was very cordial in welcoming us to her office — something that rarely takes place (most people just call). It wasn’t a big space, shared only with her assistant Wendy, and was filled mostly with office supplies, bulky office equipment, books, desks, and one small round table around which we sat.

She began by opening a weighty volume, the City of Toronto Code of Conduct for Members of Council and explaining that this, for the most part, was the territory that she treads. Then she drew a three-slice pie diagram explaining that, out of the three slices of a Member’s responsibility, she was responsible for interpreting complaints related to their conduct (the other two being legal / criminal responsibilities, and political responsibilities). To put it another way, the Code of Conduct is what she’s responsible for admonishing. Should the matter be criminal or a failure of political responsibility, her role would be only to advise people to take it up with others under whom these jurisdictions fall.

The role of the Integrity Commissioner is, for the most part, to smooth over relations so that, for example, when some Council member is having a tiff with another member, she can recommend that the two apologize. Her recommendations are the definitive word on whether or not the Code of Conduct has been breached and, when it’s something big, her recommendation is brought to Council for a vote for action. Janet is also a lawyer (this gig is only a part-time role for her), so she is basically the professional vetting of whether or not the Code has been breached — if she says yes, there doesn’t need to be any question about it. However, if a member of Council breaks a rule beyond simply the Code, it’s taken one step higher to the courts, precisely why Rob Ford is being tackled by Clayton Ruby.

We were told, in no uncertain terms, that we were more than welcome to contact Janet’s office any time we felt that the Code of Conduct was being breached, and even if it wasn’t specifically spelled out “in the letter” of the code, we could go by “the spirit” of the document which is spelled out in the preamble. In other words, even if the thing doesn’t mention a specific infraction, there are certain overarching elements that cover what the Code is supposed to be about. These include:

• Members of Council shall serve and be seen to serve their constituents in a conscientious and diligent manner;
• Members of Council should be committed to performing their functions with integrity and to avoiding the improper use of the influence of their office, and conflicts of interest, both apparent and real;
• Members of Council are expected to perform their duties in office and arrange their private affairs in a manner that promotes public confidence and will bear close public scrutiny; and
• Members of Council shall seek to serve the public interest by upholding both the letter and the spirit of the laws of the Federal Parliament and Ontario Legislature, and the laws and policies adopted by City Council

So let’s say you believe that the Mayor had a conflict of interest in using public money to fund his high school football team — start by having a gander of the Code of Conduct. If you can find anything specific covering such an action (or you believe the spirit of the thing has been breached), you should go right ahead and file a complaint with the Integrity Commissioner. That complaint can be private, or it can be formal (which will require an affidavit and some other paperwork), the second accusation obviously being the more serious one (and one that the Commissioner is able to discuss publicly). The Commissioner’s office will then investigate the complaint and provide a recommendation. That recommendation can be brought before Council for a vote, or she can recommend that you get a lawyer and they can take it from there.

In any event, the Office of the Integrity Commissioner is a great place to start if you think that members of Council have broken the rules. Just be sure to point out which part of the Code you think they’ve breached (she can’t actually recommend things like that, it would make her seem biased). Even if you’re not 100% sure, you can ask — that’s exactly why she’s there!

And, if I can share the one major take-away that this visit left me with: getting involved with the machinations of City Hall (or any level of government), is not at all difficult! Even if you don’t know exactly how to proceed with something like a complaint, all you have to do is ask and you will be directed to the right place. You’ll learn more about how the city works in 30 minutes than you could by reading all the newspapers around town, and along the way you’ll discover that most of these mechanisms are actually in place primarily for citizens, not just Council members, reporters, and others who would end up interpreting things for you.

And it’s exceedingly easy in most cases. I started with an email which resulted in an appointment for a phone call. We misunderstood and actually went down to the Integrity Commissioner’s office, but that’s usually way more effort than you’d have to put in.

We said our goodbyes, took the elevator down to street level, out onto University, and made our way up to discuss what we’d just learned over bevvies. While we didn’t actually do anything, the meeting emboldened us to take further steps to get our buffoon of a mayor under control. The bravado came from knowing we’re both just regular Joes off the street; we have no legal training, no lawyers, no money to back us, and no connections to support us, yet we have as much power to file a formal complaint that could oust the mayor (or any member of Council) as anyone else!

If I can recommend just one thing, if you’re frustrated with Mayor Ford or his minions, if things seem to be spinning wildly out of control, if City Hall seems to be working against you, the citizen, and not with you, don’t be afraid to get in touch with someone like the Integrity Commissioner and find out what steps to take to fix things. It’s easy, friendly, and even if you don’t get the answer you need right away, you’ll be pointed in the right direction.

You can have a gander at the report yourself via the link above, but it’s interesting to note that Canada ranked a B- while simultaneously being put on America’s “watch list” as an IP infringer (i.e. our measures don’t go far enough).

Most notable in the category scores was a F (complete fail), in the “freedom and access to use” in public affairs category, and D grades for both “scope and duration of copyright” as well as “freedom to share and transfer”.

Read the whole post here: http://patrickbay.ca/blog/?p=2746

The Star is reporting today that a newly found budget surplus, nearly double previous estimates, will be used to pay for streetcars purchased by Miller’s administration. While the surplus is bigger than expected (even though pretty much everyone but the Ford administration knew it), it’s worthwhile to note how the Fordites are continuing their divisive propaganda by trying to suggest the decisions behind the budget are Council’s fault:

“Council directed that the surplus be directed to capital purchases and specifically the new TTC streetcar order,” Milczyn said.

Except, guess what?

FORD WANTS TO USE SURPLUS TO PAY FOR STREETCARS…while some councillors are suggesting the surplus cash be used to stop other budget cuts, Ford echoed Budget Chief Mike Del Grande’s stance that the surplus should be put into the city’s cash-strapped capital budget…Mark Towhey, Ford’s director of policy, stressed Thursday that the city has to put a portion of the 2011 budget surplus towards the capital budget, particularly the TTC’s fleet of new streetcars.

So Fordo and his cadre get the surplus wrong, and then they go and point fingers at Council when in reality they themselves directly spearheaded the push for spending the money this way. At this rate, they’ll probably be blaming the insistence on subways on Miller too (because they were Ford’s priorities since day one, of course).

Have you been wondering what happened to the lawsuit launched by Clayton Ruby against Rob Ford for his conflict of interest? Last we were told, the thing would be going to Superior Court some time in mid March but then all the reports went silent (along with the Toronto Star ban, the Boardwalk Pub libel lawsuit, and the election expense audits, to mention just a few).

Well, I got in touch with Mr. Ruby’s office and, for some reason, the conflict of interest lawsuit has been deferred to September (pretty much par for the course for all of the complaints against him now). Perhaps it’s because Justice Charles Hackland is coming in from Ottawa to hear the matter at a Toronto Superior Court (for three days starting on September 5th), but we once again have to play the waiting game while the Mayor continues to flaunt his refusal to follow the rules.

I just sent in a request to the Toronto Integrity Commissioner’s office asking why we even have rules when Ford just goes ahead and breaks them whenever he pleases. Hopefully I’ll get a response, but I have a feeling it won’t be very satisfying.

Other than Michael Geist who mentioned it on his blog a couple of years ago, not a single Canadian mainstream media outlet has made so much as a peep about Access Copyright which, within a week, will see Canadian students paying upwards of 1000% (yes, that’s a thousand percent), on course materials.

Clearly no rush, and a thousand percent increase obviously isn’t worth reporting on. Nope.

That’s why you’d be hard-pressed to find anything on it except maybe in a few US tech blogs and publications (which astutely describe it as “insane” and “disastrous”). Students are about to be ensnared into paying through the nose for course materials, as are taxpayers who will be dragged into paying for the oppressive copyright regime sweeping the globe — and without any say or even notification. That’s right, everyone will be forced to pay, no questions asked.

This could almost be called a conspiracy theory if only it weren’t fact. And where is the illustrious mainstream media? Talking hard topics like the NHL, Harold the scumbag, erm, “Jewelry Buyer”, bullshit elections in Alberta, and Bev Oda’s continuing abuse of taxpayer money.

This is where our once great country is heading, folks; hope this helps to wake some of you up. These kinds of backroom abuses will just keep getting worse until we stand up and start fighting back — and bull-horning each other on the streets just ain’t doing the trick any more.

Exactly…

But from where I’m sitting out here in left But from where I’m sitting out here in left field, the mayor’s given no quarter, and field, the mayor’s given no quarter, and shown nothing but contempt for his shown nothing but contempt for his political opponents. Seems it’s OK for Rob political opponents. Seems it’s OK for Rob Ford to throw his weight around when Ford to throw his weight around when he’s threatening people. Why should he he’s threatening people. Why should he deserve any sympathetic consideration? deserve any sympathetic consideration?

http://www.nowtoronto.com/mobile/story.cfm?c=186316

Not to mention failing to welcome a wonderful income opportunity for Toronto. Some “businessman” he’s turned out to be…

His decision not to attend the annual Pride parade on July 1 is a reminder of the worst aspects of his mayoralty: the stubbornness, the refusal to take in other perspectives, the failure to grow in the job and become mayor of all Torontonians instead of just the champion of his own base.

http://m.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/decision-to-skip-pride-reminds-toronto-of-mayor-fords-worst-traits/article2407065/

It’s easy to blame politics, but let’s be honest about exactly who started and actively perpetuated it all. Remember Ford’s inaugural “pinkos” speech (via Don Cherry, but you know the sentiment is the same)?

“What depresses me the most about right-wing politicians is their belief that they are right and that there doesn’t seem to be any opportunity for dialogue. It’s my way or the highway. I have found that deeply disappointing.

http://www.thestar.com/iphone/news/article/1161454–how-rob-ford-s-mayoralty-has-divided-the-people-of-toronto

That’s right, Toronto taxpayers, now it’s your fault that Ford is facing opposition at City Hall. All those shiftless lefties are the only ones taking initiative, showing exactly his disorganized and lazy they are (?)

“My advice to the taxpayer would be don’t send us any more activists, don’t send us any more unionists, don’t send us any more cyclists,” Deputy Mayor Doug Holyday said. “Send us some people down here with good common sense who just want to manage the city’s affairs. That’s what’s needed.”

http://m.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/toronto-mayor-fords-drive-to-privatize-stalled-as-councillors-take-control/article2399108/

Half journalist, half activist, they spend hours monitoring meetings of city council and its committees. Their main vehicle is Twitter, the social-media tool that is changing journalism and politics with its 140-character-or-less bursts of commentary, argument and wit. They even live-tweet the Ford brothers’ weekly radio show, or #FoBroShow, with minute-by-minute, play-by-play commentary. No mayoral gaffe or mis-statement goes unchecked.

http://m.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/globe-to/city-hall-critics-of-a-feather-tweet-together/article2402106/