Council approves stricter expense guidelines
Last Updated: Thursday, July 17, 2008 | 8:23 AM ET
CBC News
Toronto city councillors have approved new rules on spending and control of their office budgets.
The $53,000 office budgets have come under harsh criticism since last year when it emerged that some councillors were spending the money on dinners with alcohol and limousine rentals. One councillor even used her office expense money to rent a bunny costume.
Under new rules taking effect Oct. 1, councillors will continue to work with the same budget amount, but alcohol is no longer accepted as an expense and the annual meals expense cannot exceed $500.
As well, details of every expense will be posted online. "This is going to be a website run by the city clerk's office and it's going to be accountable for its accuracy and its objectivity," said Coun. Shelley Carroll.
Carroll says that will be an improvement, since right now that information is published on a private partisan website run by Coun. Rob Ford.
Ford, who's known for not spending any of his office budget, says he'll keep publishing those numbers, even if it means a duplication of effort.
"It's a lot of work … [but] the public loves it. The public really likes to see where their money is being spent," he said.
Coun. Giorgio Mammolito, who has been the biggest spender on council, said he supports the new regulations.
"The culture has changed and the mood out there has changed with respect to what we used to do 18 years ago and what we are doing now," said Mammolito.
