It was supposed to be about building for the future, but Montreal Mayor Gérald Tremblay found himself trying to salvage the present as issues of ethics and credibility at city hall overrode a joint announcement by the city and provincial government on public housing.
"It's not an accusation line," fumed the mayor when asked by a reporter about a plan to dedicate a city hall phone line for reports of suspected impropriety.
"That's what (the media) look for: 'An accusation line,' 'An informer's line,' and then you lead people to believe we're going to ask citizens ... or employees to accuse their bosses. ... That's not the intention.
"The intention is that there are taxpayers ... and ... if for one reason or another, they see an irregularity in a (city) system, or if an employee doesn't want to speak to their immediate superior because they're afraid of repercussions ... then, why can't they - in an independent and confidential manner - speak to someone in charge to simply take preventive measures?
"This is a line to prevent fraud and a line to prevent waste."
Tremblay made his comments after his proposal for such a phone line, which was recommended by the city's auditor-general more than a year ago, was dismissed by the city's blue-collar union as a "panic" reaction by the mayor to growing concern over a controversial water-meter contract that cost taxpayers $355 million.
The city suspended the contract this month after Revenue Canada announced that three companies owned by businessman Tony Accurso, including one that was part of the consortium that won the contract, were under investigation for alleged tax fraud. The fraud investigation comes on the heels of news that while head of the city's executive committee, city councillor and St. Léonard borough mayor Frank Zampino twice vacationed on a yacht owned by Accurso.
In January, Zampino, who left politics last year, took a job with the engineering firm Dessau Inc., another firm that was part of the consortium. Saying he made "a blunder" by vacationing on the yacht and citing the controversy surrounding the water-meter contract, Zampino has since left the firm.
Another proposal by Tremblay, that Quebec adopt a code of ethics for all elected officials in the province, received an endorsement yesterday from Municipal Affairs Minister Nathalie Normandeau, who attended the housing announcement.
"I intend to raise the matter during the next Quebec municipalities conference ... on May 1," she said.
City council is scheduled to hold an extraordinary meeting this morning to discuss the contract and official mandate of the auditor-general to investigate the circumstances under which it was awarded.
Tremblay noted yesterday that while some opposition politicians are now clamouring for answers on the contract, city council unanimously approved the contract when it was awarded last year.
本文转自：China Industry News