Harper to re-appoint friend of Porter CEO to TPA
CommunityAIR press release of February 14, 2012:
After not only breaching the Toronto Port Authority’s conflict of interest rules, but doing so after a TPA lawyer’s opinion that he was in breach was read to him, the Harper Government proposes to re‑appoint Colin Watson to the TPA board.
Toronto MP Olivia Chow will propose a motion tomorrow morning at 9:45 to summon Colin Watson to appear before the Transport Committee of the House of Commons to be questioned as to his suitability for re‑appointment.
Mr. Watson, an acknowledged friend of Porter Air CEO Robert Deluce, was the deciding vote in favour of purchasing a new ferry for the Toronto Island Airport. Mr. Deluce’s airline has a virtual monopoly of that airport.
The opinion, from Davies Ward & Beck, a well‑known Bay Street law firm, was read to Mr. Watson, as he was participating by conference call in a TPA board meeting on January 21, 2009.
It included this:
In our opinion, Mr. Watson would be in a conflict of interest … in participating in the discussions of the Board relating to Porter, or in voting on decisions of the Board relating to Porter, because doing so would provide him with an opportunity to further the private interests of one of his friends…
Therefore, in our opinion, Mr. Watson is precluded by … from participating in discussions of the Board relating to contracts or other business dealings between TPA and Porter and from voting on decisions of the Board relating to such matters.
“By proposing to re‑appoint Mr. Watson, Stephen Harper is condoning Mr. Watson’s behaviour. We find that unacceptable, and are pleased that Olivia Chow is calling Mr. Watson and Mr. Harper to account.” said Brian Iler, Chair, CommunityAIR. “The Toronto Port Authority has acted for years in a secret and unaccountable fashion, for the benefit of Mr. Deluce and Porter. That has to stop.”
After not only breaching the Toronto Port Authority’s conflict of interest rules, but doing so after a TPA lawyer’s opinion that he was in breach was read to him, the Harper Government proposes to re‑appoint Colin Watson to the TPA board.
Toronto MP Olivia Chow will propose a motion tomorrow morning at 9:45 to summon Colin Watson to appear before the Transport Committee of the House of Commons to be questioned as to his suitability for re‑appointment.
Mr. Watson, an acknowledged friend of Porter Air CEO Robert Deluce, was the deciding vote in favour of purchasing a new ferry for the Toronto Island Airport. Mr. Deluce’s airline has a virtual monopoly of that airport.
The opinion, from Davies Ward & Beck, a well‑known Bay Street law firm, was read to Mr. Watson, as he was participating by conference call in a TPA board meeting on January 21, 2009.
It included this:
In our opinion, Mr. Watson would be in a conflict of interest … in participating in the discussions of the Board relating to Porter, or in voting on decisions of the Board relating to Porter, because doing so would provide him with an opportunity to further the private interests of one of his friends…
Therefore, in our opinion, Mr. Watson is precluded by … from participating in discussions of the Board relating to contracts or other business dealings between TPA and Porter and from voting on decisions of the Board relating to such matters.
“By proposing to re‑appoint Mr. Watson, Stephen Harper is condoning Mr. Watson’s behaviour. We find that unacceptable, and are pleased that Olivia Chow is calling Mr. Watson and Mr. Harper to account.” said Brian Iler, Chair, CommunityAIR. “The Toronto Port Authority has acted for years in a secret and unaccountable fashion, for the benefit of Mr. Deluce and Porter. That has to stop.”
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