George Smitherman Brings Ugly Samsung Baggage to the Mayoral Race

By Gary Morton, January 2010

    Even before George Smitherman entered the 2010 race for Toronto Mayor, his past record as a provincial cabinet minister was in question. Bully being the term many used to describe his style.

   He may cast the illusion of being progressive and Liberal … but any appearance of being a democrat is slipping away quickly. Especially now that MPPs in the Ontario Liberal Party, as well the opposition are shocked by the $7 Billion Dollar Energy Technology deal Smitherman negotiated with Samsung Group.

   Yes Ontario needs green energy, but instead of giving those valuable contracts to Ontario and Canadian companies, Smitherman negotiated a Sweet Heart Deal with Samsung.

   It’s called a “massive multibillion-dollar giveaway to a foreign-based conglomerate without even the most basic of public reviews.” And opponents want the deal vetted by the provincial auditor general before proceeding.

    The Samsung deal is a preferential, sole-sourced deal that is likely in violation of Ontario’s procurement rules. It is the mother of all untendered contracts and Smitherman negotiated the deal in spite of the Liberal promise to end sole-sourced, secretive and untendered contracts.

   In a mayoral election with candidates talking about selling off Toronto Hydro, Enwave, and contracting out other services, Smitherman’s backroom energy deal raises doubts about his leadership style. Do Torontonians need a mayor who favours foreign companies and huge backroom deals, with no public discussion or input at all?

   City Hall has always been more democratic than that and George Smitherman’s ability to fit in and become a credible mayor is now seriously challenged.

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