Former mayor John Sewell would be the head of an advisory panel tasked with ensuring public accountability at City Hall if George Smitherman were to become mayor, the mayoral candidate announced today.
Smitherman made the campaign promise on Thursday, calling the advisory panel an important step in reconnecting with the resident of Toronto.
"This is about throwing open the doors at City Hall and shining a bright light on how things are done and how we spend our money," Smitherman told reporters. "This is about how we can restore a sense of power and connection to the local neighbourhoods."
Smitherman said the 1998 amalgamation that combined six cities into one made it more difficult for citizens to connect with their government. His said as mayor he would focus on establishing clear lines of communication with residents.
The panel would focus on rethinking how the government communicates with residents on local issues and responds to regional issues. It would also address the issue of transparency, which has been a theme through this election.
Sewell will be joined on the panel by Paul Bedford, a former chief planner at City Hall, and several local leaders, lawyers and former politicians.
"I think this panel is a terrific opportunity to start looking at how we can get a government that actually responds to people and serves the needs of people in Toronto," Sewell told reporters.
Smitherman described Sewell, who was mayor from 1978 to 1980, as "one of Toronto's living legends."
Sewell, a member of the Order of Canada, has remained a political activist since his time as mayor and is currently the head of the Toronto Police Accountability Coalition.
"He is an example of the kind of people we need to step up to the plate and address some of the sense of disconnection and alienation, which are themes in this election," Smitherman added.
Smitherman is currently working his way across the city in a camper in a four-day campaign march across Toronto's 44 wards.
The announcement comes one day after a flurry of political endorsements that saw Coun. Joe Mihevc jump behind Smitherman and Mayor David Miller come out in favour of opponent Joe Pantalone.
