Linda Jeffrey, the mayor of Canadian city Brampton, continues to feel the fall out over the “confusion” her office caused after announcing the mayor would formalize ties with a Sri Lankan municipality — an act that would bypass council’s approval.

“This is not the kind of behaviour council or taxpayers expect from a mayor who claims to bring transparency to city hall,” said Regional Coun. Elaine Moore, adding fuel to concerns that she tried to bypass councillors and enter a ‘sister-city’ agreement with northern Sri Lankan city of Vavuniya.

A Dec. 20 communication announcing Jeffrey’s plans to formalize the agreement with Sri Lankan dignitaries this month was removed from the city’s website shortly after The Guardian’s Jan. 11 article detailing the controversial move.

Councillors are waiting on a staff report outlining potential benefits of such an agreement and raised concerns that Jeffrey, who has presided over a highly divisive council in her first term, overstepped her authority by committing to such a deal without a staff analysis or council discussion.

The media release outlined Jeffrey’s plans to sign an agreement that “would strengthen existing economic and cultural ties while encouraging commerce and the exchange of goods and services between Brampton, the Greater Toronto Area and Vavuniya.”

The mayor’s office downplayed the controversy, clarifying that the process is still in early stages and that council would ultimately make the final decision.

Jaskaran Singh Sandhu, the mayor’s new press secretary, explained there was “some confusion” with the December communication. As such, Sandhu said it was decided the media release be removed “to alleviate the confusion.”

However, several city councillors say they aren’t buying the explanation.

“The only confusion that exists is why the office of the mayor would issue a media release that’s completely contrary to council direction in the first place,” said Moore.

A video posted on YouTube also shows officials, including Regional Coun. Martin Medeiros, talking up possible partnerships between the two cities.

Medeiros, who is acting mayor this month, met with dignitaries at a ceremony held at Brampton city hall Jan. 11. He spoke of the potential for Brampton businesses as northern Sri Lanka looks to rebuild following years of conflict.

Medeiros said city staff would work with Sri Lankan officials “to develop a framework” and “look for opportunities of co-operation.” He added staff would then bring forward a report to council at “which time we will also explore the possibility of an economic and friendship agreement.”

Brampton’s Tamil community numbers approximately 20,000 people.

On Dec. 7, councillors debated a request that would link Brampton and Vavuniya via a ‘friendship relationship agreement’.

Despite some initial skepticism, councillors agreed to wait on a staff report before making a decision.

But Jeffrey’s media release announcing she would formalize a sister-city agreement angered several politicians who have accused the mayor of trying to dictate terms rather than build consensus.

Councillors said they only received an invitation to meet with Sri Lankan and local dignitaries, among them C.V. Wigneswaran, chief minister of Sri Lanka’s Northern Province, a day before the Jan. 11 event.

The mayor is on vacation and did not attend the ceremony.

Source: Brampton Guardian 

-Agencies