Item - 2017.AU10.11

That City Council request Councillor Matlow to apologize to the Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Transit Commission, for the offending comments made on October 25, 2016, on the CBC Metro Morning program.

Councillor Matlow, rising on a Point of Privilege, stated that he only has five minutes to ask questions.

Councillor Mammoliti, rising on a Point of Order, stated that staff are trying to answer but Councillor Matlow is drowning out staff and not allowing them to answer.

Councillor Matlow, rising on a Point of Privilege stated that he has a number of questions and what would be helpful is getting an answer to his question so that he can then ask another question.  Councillor Matlow further stated he is getting answers from staff to questions he did not ask.

Councillor De Baeremaeker, rising on a Point of Order, stated that he appreciates that staff give answers that Councillor Matlow or himself may not want but staff should be free from intimidation and not be cut off.   Councillor De Baeremaeker further stated that staff should be able to give answers they feel are appropriate.

Councillor Matlow, rising on a Point of Privilege, stated he had several questions however he would like to be able to do so while not being constantly interrupted and disparaged by Members of Council.

Councillor Mammoliti, rising on a Point of Privilege, stated that when he rises to describe what he needs, the Speaker regularly cuts off his microphone but allows Councillor Matlow to do whatever he wants.

Councillor Matlow, rising on a Point of Privilege, stated that Councillor McMahon had made comments regarding a radio interview he had given and asked for clarification on what comments he had made that impugned or disparaged staff.

Councillor Campbell, rising on a Point of Order, stated that Councillor Karygiannis' questions of staff were not on the matter before Council.

Councillor Matlow, rising on a Point of Privilege, stated that he would continue to rise on a Point of Privilege as his reputation continues to be impugned and his motivations are being challenged.

Councillor Matlow, rising on a Point of Privilege, asked the Speaker for her previous ruling.

Councillor Davis, rising on a Point of Privilege, stated that the Speaker should withdraw her remark as it is totally unacceptable for the Speaker to make that remark.

Councillor Karygiannis, rising on a Point of Privilege, stated that the Speaker remarks are not acceptable and should be withdrawn.

Councillor Davis, rising on a Point of Privilege, stated that the Speaker intervened, took a position and was biased, and requested the Speaker to reconsider and withdraw her remarks regarding Councillor Matlow.  Councillor Davis further stated that she would like the Speaker to recognize that Members of Council should be acknowledged on each instance a Point of Order or Privilege is made.

Councillor Davis, rising on a Point of Privilege, ask the Speaker if she would withdraw her remark.

Councillor Davis, rising on a Point of Privilege, stated that the Speaker's previous ruling was based on the fact that a certain Councillor's name was not used, however Councillor Mammoliti and the Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Transit Commission have referred to a particular Councillor.  Councillor Davis further stated that she hoped the Speaker's ruling does not stand, as comments about a certain Councillor are unacceptable and should stop.

Councillor De Baeremaeker, rising on a Point of Privilege, stated that he is being misled by a Member of Council and asked that the Member use a figure that is accurate.

Councillor Perks, rising on a Point of Privilege, stated that there is a long standing parliamentary tradition in this Chamber that Members may not accuse another Member of deliberately misleading another and asked that Councillor De Baeremaeker withdraw his remarks.

Councillor Perks, rising on a Point of Order, stated that Councillor De Baeremaeker had withdrawn his remarks but had then repeated them and ignored the Speaker's ruling. Councillor Perks further stated that Councillor De Baeremaeker should property withdraw his remarks.

Councillor Colle, rising on a Point of Privilege, stated that Councillor Matlow was impugning staff when he remarked that he did not believe what staff had said earlier.

Councillor Matlow, rising on a Point of Privilege, stated that he did not call staff a liar but had said that he was not persuaded by staff.

Councillor Perruzza, rising on a Point of Privilege, stated that the Council Speaker is a highly recognized and respected position whose function is to safeguard the rights of the individual member.  Councillor Perruzza further stated that the Speaker should set the standard very, very high for herself.

That the Audit Committee allow a second round of questions by non-committee Members.