This just in from city hall, folks, as leaks continue to sprout at city hall.
(For those who don’t realize the intricacies, the Globe’s Saturday story about chief financial officer Estelle Lo’s severance pay was information that came from, yes, yet another in-camera meeting. I’m beginning to wonder when we’re all just going to get text messages straight from these confidential meetings.)
Anyway, here’s the news release from the city about Mr. Peck’s appointment. Better start stocking up on quarters for the payphones, you leakers.
City of Vancouver News Release
December 3, 2008
City appoints barrister to investigate information leak
The City of Vancouver today appointed Richard Peck, Q.C. to conduct an
independent investigation regarding the leak of confidential information
relating to the Olympic Village in Southeast False Creek.
Council passed a motion calling for the appointment of a barrister
pursuant to sections 176 and 177 of the Vancouver Charter at its final
council meeting November 25, 2008.
In accepting the appointment, Mr. Peck has indicated he will complete
his inquiry in two phases. Phase one will focus on: the adequacy of City
policies and procedures relating to in- camera meetings; the treatment
of sensitive documents, and the use of the confidential information. The
second phase of the inquiry will, if necessary, be a fact-finding
process to determine to a reasonable degree of certainty how and by whom
confidential information was disclosed. The necessity of the second
phase will be decided pending the outcome of the current Vancouver
Police Department investigation.
Mr. Peck is scheduled to present written findings relating to the first
phase of his inquiry to Council by mid-February 2009. At that time, a
decision on whether to proceed with phase two will be made.