Updated: Wed Sep. 30 2009 7:57:30 PM

ctvtoronto.ca

A Toronto city councillor is apologizing after she called in to a talk radio show last week to defend the record of Mayor David Miller -- without fully identifying herself.

Sandra Bussin (Ward 32, Beaches-East York), the speaker for city council, didn't give her last name or say she was a city councillor when she called the Strong Opinions show on CFRB Radio last Friday.

That show is hosted by activist Tarek Fatah and John Tory, a former leader of the Ontario Progressive Conservatives who may himself run for the office that Miller will not context next year.

Miller had announced Friday that he would not seek re-election in November 2010, and many people unhappy with his record as mayor had called in to vent.

Bussin, a Miller loyalist on council, defended Miller's handing of the 39-day municipal workers' strike this summer. "He actually got a really good deal for the city," she said Friday.

But she didn't just defend Miller, who called "the most brilliant politician, municipally, anywhere in the country." She called Tory a "three-time loser," referring to his election losses in the 2003 mayoral election, the 2007 provincial fight he lost in Don Valley West and the byelection defeat this past winter that finally led Tory to quit as party leader.

Tory said he was happy with both his resume and his life. He has said he will considering running in 2010 for the mayor's job.

"I should have indicated I was a city councillor,'' Bussin told reporters Wednesday, adding she had written a letter of apology to Tory and will apologize at council if asked to.

Bussin was back on the radio Wednesday to confirm she had appeared last week. She told CFRB that "to be airing such factless information, I couldn't let that pass."

On Friday, Bussin was asked three times if she worked for the city.

"No I don't work for the city, I work for my constituents," she said Wednesday, adding that as a councillor, she is technically outside the administration of the city.

Coun. Denzil Minnan-Wong, one of Bussin's opponents on council, said, "If they are prepared to say something publicly, they should be prepared to stand up and put their name behind it."

Reached by telephone, Tory said: "She's apologized, I accept the apology. I think the bigger lesson is how we remove this kind of toxic environment that seems to exist at City Hall and in politics generally, and focus more on getting things done for people."

As for her "three-time loser" shot at Tory, Bussin said, "Well, that's true, is it not?"

With a report from CTV Toronto's Austin Delaney

Comments are now closed for this story

Mark
Ahhh....Sandra Bussin, a Miller loyalist dutifully worshipping at the feet of the Mayor of Toronto-while lying about her identity, engaging in shameful, pathetic name-calling of a radio host.

Our tax dollars hard at work.

I hope that you're proud of yourself Ms. Bussin.

Kat -- Ottawa
If this city councilor feels so positively about Miller's record, why would she feel the need to keep her identity a secret? She must not be as proud as she claims.

I can't wait until Mayor Miller is ousted - hopefully John Tory is the one to oust him.

Dan
Why should she have to identify herelf. She has a right to publicly defend anyone she wishes under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, (section 1 and 15). I also do not believe her lack of identification on a radio show would break any ethic code either.

M. Coren
Much ado about NOTHING!!!
..slow news day?

Regan
I'm no Miller supporter, but why does she have to identify herself? She is a citizen just like the rest of us, and on a forum as unpolitical as CFRB she should be allowed to stay anonymous, especially when her boss is being ridiculed. Sorry John, that's how radio shows work.

She is silly and stupid for admitting that it was her. She should have used a fake name and never admitted anything.

I voted for Tory in the last Provincial election - why I don't know - maybe cause I like him better than Dalton, however I was not a fan of his religious schools idea. He is a three time loser, and he is also incredibly arrogant and egotistical. I've met him numerous times and he resonates smugness. I'll probably still vote for him as mayor.

Robert in Courtice
The Miller fiasco gets more bizarre every day.For people living outside the 416,its like reading the comics.

Natalie Bengert
Ms. Bussin's behaviour on CFRB was absolutely appalling - on both occassions.

I am one of her 'constituents' and am truly embarrassed to have her 'speaking' on my behalf. Speaking? Speaking you say? I don't think an hysterical, self-serving, bad-mannered, name-calling rant qualifies as speaking on behalf of ANYONE.

It has become a well-known trend that Ms. Bussin will talk-over and dismiss anyone - including her constituents! - that tries to take her to task on any issue.

She asked CFRB to give her her own talk show. Foreshadowing of a need to submit resumes for a new vocation, Sandra? I hope so!

Darren ward 32
This is nothing new for the Speaker. She has defended Miller at every occasion, just look at their voting record; they are near identical. She voted for the CUPE offer, after telling her constituents that she was receiving 50/50 comments from them on the subject. She had a habit of annually supporting minor sport teams from her office budget and they would in turn provide her with free promotion for her re-election campaign. The practice was made illegal, but only after it was exposed by the Toronto Sun. She convinced council to allow her to hire a lawyer on our dime to sue a constituent for libel. Lets not forget the bunny suites. And now this latest fiasco.

Chris Ont
That's priceless, when your paycheque is from the city you work for them. The problem is people elected all those sheep on council. Talk about thinking the rules don't apply to me attitude.
You might want to start distancing yourself from Miller, your performance review is in a year. Miller's having his now.