Free Speech/Freedom Of Expression Curtailed At Silly Hall

'Cheap shots' will cost ya Council can sue with tax dollars By BRYN WEESE, SUN MEDIA

Watch what you say about city councillors, because they might use your own tax dollars to sue you.

Mayor David Miller's hand-picked executive committee yesterday approved changes to council's indemnity policy that will allow councillors to use up to $25,000 of public money to initiate libel action when they think their reputation has been unfairly smeared.

"Personal reputations are at stake. The reputation of the city is at stake, and if people are going to take cheap shots below the belt, they ought to know that the full weight of the city is going to come back after them," said Councillor Adam Vaughan, who recently had to foot his own legal bill when he waded into the early stages of a defamation suit against fellow Councillor Rob Ford.

Miller assured members of the media yesterday that the changes will not result in frivolous lawsuits used to muzzle the media or other members of council.

"I don't think, with great respect, that it's at all fair to say that can happen. It can't happen, because an outside lawyer has to say that there's a fair case," Miller said, noting city councillors are vulnerable to libel or slander because of their public position but can't defend their reputation because it costs so much.

'BUNCH OF CHILDREN'

Currently, councillors can only use public funds to defend themselves from legal action brought against them.

"There's a lot of checks and balances in this policy," Miller added.

But Councillor Karen Stintz has little faith in those checks and balances, especially since council makes a habit of ignoring staff advice.

"It makes us all look like a bunch of children, that we can't get along in the sandbox, but now that we've elevated ourselves to council, we can sue each other," Stintz said.