
Regional Councillor Chris Leahy yesterday said he will be moving a motion to cancel the contract with Toronto law firm Aird and Berlis as the Closed Meeting Investigator for the Town of Whitby.
Leahy said he was outraged to find out how much Aird and Berlis charge for their Closed Meeting Investigations, said Leahy, a three-term councillor.
“When a complaint about a possible closed meeting is received by the Town of Whitby it is referred to Aird and Berlis who then appoint one of five ‘Review Officers’ and the fee ranges from $495 to $875 per hour in 2024,” explained Leahy.
The cost of the recent Closed Meeting Investigation report dated November 22, became a topic of debate at the council meeting on December 16. The meeting also saw the investigator’s report that stated that there was no closed door meeting that excluded Leahy and Regional Councillor Steve Yamada, as Leahy had charged.
Cancel the LAS contract
Following the December 16 meeting, Leahy said: “I listened to my colleagues and came up with a solution that saves money. My motion would cancel the contract with LAS (Local Authority Services) at the earliest possible date and allow all future Closed Meeting Investigations to cost zero dollars to Whitby taxpayers. I am always looking for ways to save,” added Leahy.
The Whitby Town council appointed LAS through bylaw 6040-08 as Whitby’s Closed Meeting Investigator in March of 2008. The fees associated with an investigation have escalated dramatically within to a range o $495 to $875 per hour, Leahy said.
“My understanding is that current agreements with LAS and municipalities include a renewal section that state that the agreement would automatically renew from year to year unless, and until, terminated by either party upon 90 days prior written notice,” said Leahy.
“This agreement has been in place since 2008 it’s time to cut the cord. $875 per hour is too much for taxpayers when Whitby could get the services for free from the provincial government,” he added.
On Monday, Whitby Mayor Elizabeth Roy, issued a statement regarding the ongoing political infighting stemming from the council meeting of October 7 (see below).
why did they need a close meet? what did they want to hide from the people who pay you? When will Canada have a transparent goverment?