In Open Letter, Niagara Centre MPP Calls Urges Ontario’s Ombudsman to Fully Investigate Hiring of Niagara Region’s Chief Administrative Officer

“Confidence must be restored in Niagara Regional Council and this investigation will play a key role in restoring the faith people once had in our local government.” – Jeff Burch

Niagara At Large received a copy of the following  letter, dated Friday, August 24th, from the Constituency Office of Niagara Centre MPP Jeff Burch

Posted August 24^th, 2018 on Niagara At Large

To Mr. Paul Paul Dubé, Ontario Ombudsman

Re: Investigation into the Hiring of the Niagara Regional CAO

Dear Mr. Dubé:

Niagara Centre MPP Jeff Burch

Further to my email in July to your office, I am sending this letter regarding the ongoing controversy involving the hiring of Chief Administrative Officer for the Niagara Region, Carmen D’Angelo.

Last night (Thursday, August 23rd), Niagara Regional Council voted unanimously to call upon your office to conduct a full investigation into the hiring process of the CAO following in depth reports by the St. Catharines Standard exposing a number of serious concerns regarding this issue.This vote comes about as Regional Council has been stymied in trying to get answers on this hiring controversy but with little success.

Your recent report involving Standard reporter Bill Sawchuk highlighted the fact that Regional Chair Alan Caslin and Niagara Chief Administrative Officer Carmen D’Angelo were the chief architects of the decisions made December 7th last year that resulted in Sawchuk’s rights being violated.

Last week a special council meeting called by the majority of council resulted in the key players Mr. Caslin and Mr. D’Angelo not even bothering to attend. It was a slap in the face to the elected council members.

We also have the latest revelation that Regional Chair Alan Caslin admitted during yet another special council meeting that he unilaterally extended the contract of CAO Carmen D’Angelo which would have expired next year.

It is Council that would normally vote on the hiring of the CAO and it was given no role in this decision whatsoever. There was no debate, no vote and no bylaw enacted.

Mr. Dubé, as Municipal Affairs Critic for the Official Opposition with the full support of Niagara Regional Council and many taxpayers, I urge your office to undertake a full investigation into this matter as soon as possible.

Confidence must be restored in Niagara Regional Council and this investigation will play a key role in restoring the faith people once had in our local government. 

Sincerely, Jeff Burch, MPP,  Municipal Affairs Critic

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