If You Supported Miller You Are Not A Lobbyist

At least according to the mayor.

It's no secret that Brother Brian Cochrane of CUPE 416 and Sister Ann Dembinski of CUPE 79 worked overtime to put Miller and his cronies back in office. Their reward is free and unfettered access to the mayor's and councillor's offices, a more than generous contract and promises of no contracting out.

Lobby registry plans ripped
City unions exempt
By ZEN RURYK, CITY HALL BUREAU CHIEF

Plans to set up a City Hall lobbyist registry got the green light yesterday, despite criticisms that it provides exemptions for Toronto's municipal unions.

The plan, approved by the influential executive committee, calls for the expenditure of $240,000 this year and the hiring of a lobbyist registrar and an administrative assistant.

The complex rules are designed to put a spotlight on the dealings of those who are paid to try to influence city councillors. However, representatives of the unions that represent Toronto's municipal employees will not have to sign the registry when they talk to councillors about labour relations issues.

Councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong argued that there is already a process in place for union and city representatives to deal with labour issues.

"When there are secret meetings being held with elected officials like the mayor -- with senior councillors -- there should be some type of disclosure," he said.

He said when it comes to lobbying councillors, there is no difference between a union representative and a hired agent.

'LEGAL DUTIES'

Mayor David Miller disagreed, saying registry rules should not apply when union reps perform "legal duties" for their members.

"It's that conversation between city employees and their overseers, council and the mayor about those (labour) issues -- and that's a very narrow part in my mind -- is not lobbying. It's exercising statutory duty," he said.

"Every other activity, for example, if the CAW comes in and says, 'You should not adopt a climate change policy because it will hurt jobs in Oakville' -- that's clearly lobbying."

City council will have a final say on the registry next month.