Coun. Michael Thompson is the chair of council's economic development committee. (City of Toronto)

Toronto city hall watchers are raising questions after Coun. Michael Thompson paid a pastor $300 of taxpayers' money to have his office blessed.

The blessing of Thompson's office took place on Dec. 7 — the day all new council members were inaugurated — and was captured on film.

The office blessing was paid to Tai Adeboboye, pastor of Wilmar Heights Baptist Church.

The church's website describes Wilmar Heights as a "vibrant, growing and dynamic multicultural congregation in Scarborough, representing 22 countries."

The website said Adeboboye has served in several churches in Toronto for nearly 18 years.

Nelson Wiseman, who teaches Canadian government and politics at the University of Toronto, said it's curious that such an expense would come from a backer of Mayor Rob Ford, who campaigned against the "gravy train" during last fall's campaign.

"This does not pass the smell test, certainly not for voters," Wiseman told CBC's Lorenda Reddekopp.

"I don't think that [Ford] would have sanctioned, or blessed, if I might use that word, this kind of expenditure. And I think it makes large parts of the public uncomfortable because it mixes religion and politics."

Ralph Karl Wushke, an ecumenical chaplain at the University of Toronto, said aboriginal religious leaders are paid from public money to preside over many kinds of public ceremonies and the expenditure is rarely questioned.

"If I were organizing that event, certainly I'd make sure that elder would be paid for their time and their leadership," said Wushke.

Thompson did not respond to an interview request.

CBC News wanted to speak with city integrity commissioner Janet Leiper about the expenditure, but she was not in the office on Thursday.