MISSISSAUGA JUDICIAL INQUIRY: Citizen-Blogger MISSISSAUGAWATCH requests limited standing

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Portion of transcript:

"It's in this Inquiry's mandate to make recommendations.

Since my own research also deals with Mississauga systemic issues and infrastructure, I may possibly be of help there. I can't say that I've blazed a trail but I've certainly trudged it.

And under "General" in the "Rules of Procedure" it states:

"The Commissioner encourages anyone who may have information that may be helpful to the Inquiry, including documents and the names of witnesses"

Well, I "may have information that may be helpful to the Inquiry, including documents" and also a witness.

It's difficult for me to be here. I decided at the very last minute to show up. The reason I did is because of the wording, "...who may have information that may be helpful to the Inquiry."

I realized that if I didn't come forward, it would be ME who decided that my information is of no value. Not showing is a form of censorship that I wasn't prepared to make.

For someone as committed to a fair and impartial truth-finding process, then I have no business staying away.

Whether I have something of value to assist you in your Inquiry is your call, not mine.

So I'm here.

I believe that I can be of considerable help when you are dealing with the mysterious minutes and their alteration. Believe it or not that is one of the things that I've been researching.

After all, minutes of meetings are actually the HISTORY of this City and of Mississauga Council.
Minutes of meetings are a vital part of our city's cultural heritage. Videotape of those meetings even more so.

Also. Freedom of Information provides me with unique insight --behind the scenes peek-and-probe into the bowels of our big yellow city hall. I have some documents that I believe may assist.

One of the most important things that I was taught at the Ontario Ombudsman's "Sharpen Your Teeth" course had to do with interviewing witnesses.

Gareth Jones, Director of SORT (Special Ombudsman's Response Team) reminded us to put ourselves into the shoes of the person we are interviewing.

I did that over the weekend, pretending to be in your shoes.

And if it were my mandate to "investigate any supposed breach of trust or other misconduct of a Member of Council, an employee of the municipality or person having a contract with the municipality in relation to the duties or obligation of that person to the municipality", I'd want access to my Freedom of Information documents relating to the drafting, approval and implementation of Mississauga's most important Corporate policies, the degree to which Staff comply--and especially the quality of managerial assessment of Staff performance.

The other thing I'd want if I were in your shoes is an objective, reliable witness. That's where my videotapes come in.

And I encourage you for quick, yet excellent overview just to get a feel for how things are done at the City--view videotapes of Audit Committee meetings and then compare what you saw and heard with what is recorded in the minutes.

One final comment. Again, at the Ontario Ombudsman's "Sharpen Your Teeth" course, SORT Director, Gareth Jones, suggested to us that the most important question an investigator must answer is "Why".

Who, What, Where, When, How are almost givens.

But Why is my big one too for this Inquiry. Why? Why is the City of Mississauga behave the way is does?

I'm requesting limited standing asking to be allowed to participate as a witness by submitting video, audio or documents that I think you might need. And to make written submissions at the conclusion of the evidence."

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• MISSISSAUGA JUDICIAL INQUIRY
• HAZEL MCCALLION