MEDIA RELEASE For Immediate Release

MAYOR RYAN CREATES TASK FORCE ON ACCOUNTABILITY & TRANSPARENCY

Pickering, ON, June 25, 2007 - As part of his commitment to open, transparent and responsible government, Mayor Dave Ryan created a task force to address the accountability and transparency of the operations of the City of Pickering. The task force has been asked to make specific recommendations to City Council regarding a Code of Conduct for Members of Council.

"While I am proud of the City of Pickering's reputation for municipal excellence, I want to create an environment where our Council's conduct and operations will be above reproach and among the most ethical and accountable of any municipality in Canada," said Mayor Ryan. "I hope Council will agree to the recommendations that will be made by the task force, and that a new Council Code of Conduct will be implemented by 2008."

The task force members represent a wide cross-section of the community and bring a wealth of credibility, experience, and insight to the initiative. The members are:

• Joanne Burghardt, Editor-in-Chief, Metroland Durham Region Media Group
• Bonnie Littley, Regional Councillor, Ward 1, City of Pickering
• Judi Longfield, former MP, and former Town of Whitby councillor
• Alan May, resident and local business owner
• Leah Myers, President, Durham College
• Dave Ryan, Mayor, City of Pickering
• Joan Wideman, VP, Corporate Services, The Lenbrook Group of Companies

The task force will meet over the next several months to review the Municipal Act; analyze current policies, practices and by-laws of the City and other municipalities; and develop a draft Code of Conduct for consideration by City Council in 2007. As part of this process, the task force will examine the possible appointment of an integrity commissioner.

Members of the public will be asked to provide their input regarding a Code of Conduct at the Mayor's Town Hall meeting on September 24, 2007, and thereafter at meetings of the City's Executive Committee and Council.