The Garden City Refugee

Campaigning on Our Dime II

October 24, 2026

Recently, Mat Sendzcoe Siscoe, who occupies the office of mayor, posted something on his campaign page, praising two of the people working for him. I’m still wondering why he’s bothering to campaign at all. After all, staff have undoubtedly rigged the voting machines to get their lackey back in office so they can stay in power. More likely, it’s just a show just to keep up appearances. Even authoritarian dictators like him need to show a little concern for public opinion. Not much. But a little.

I took careful note, however, that one of those “fantastic humans” he referenced was Brianne Whitty, his chief of staff gofer. His wildly overpaid gofer who’s on the Sunshine List. His gofer who’s on my payroll, not his. As I noted in the comment he’s since hidden, he’s clearly using City resources for his personal campaign. Brianne is decked out in a campaign T-shirt and has a stack of pamphlets in her hand.

To say the least, this appears to be a significant breach of personal and professional ethics on Sendzcoe Siscoe’s part. And faced with a credible allegation to that effect, he could respond in one of three ways:

• A) Offer a credible explanation which would exonerate him. Such as Brianne being on unpaid leave for the duration of the campaign, for example.
• B) Man up and own the indiscretion. Apologize, reimburse the City for the cost of his gofer’s time and vow to hold himself to a higher standard in future. After all, even if there is a credible explanation, the appearance of impropriety can be just as damaging, and just to keep things on the level, a good politician should have known better than to have her openly involved in his campaign in any capacity, if for no other reason than to avoid the inevitable scrutiny.
• C) Go into damage control mode. Shut down comments and hope no one else picks up on this.

When you’re an arrogant bully like Mat Sendzcoe Siscoe, the answer is obvious. You choose option C. You can never admit that you’re wrong. Even though, by responding that way, you’re sending an unmistakable message that you know you’re guilty as sin. You got caught with both hands in the cookie jar.

Frankly, I don’t know what bothers me more. That he’s using City resources for his personal campaign. Or that he’s flaunting it right in front of our noses. Displaying a characteristic arrogance and sense of entitlement to do as he pleases. Rules are for others. Not for him.

That was when I thought that this would be a good case for the Integrity Commissioner. Even if he only got a token slap on the wrist, it would be on the record that he was found guilty. Having never done this before, I went online and checked it out. I figured there would be a form to fill in where I could send the screenshot. Pretty much a prima facie case, by my way of thinking.

But then I read this:

Say what?

They expect me to go to City Hall and pony up $43 to investigate a corrupt politician who’s using City resources I’m funding for his personal campaign?

That’s the equivalent of being charged an “administration fee” for emailing your MPP or MP to complain about something. Which is absolutely ridiculous. They work for us. That’s their job. And I’m supposed to pay them even more to do it? Do police or public officials have to pay to investigate us for an alleged crime? Would I be able to collect an “administration fee” from the CRA if they wanted to audit me?

In reality, what this amounts to is another barrier to insulate politicians from pesky taxpayers and residents who they rule with impunity.

And in any event, even if it was found that such a complaint was valid, I rather doubt I would get my $43 back.

Yet another instance of one set of rules for those in power, and one set of rules for the rest of us.

And Mat Sendzcoe Siscoe knows that better than anyone.