Councillor’s Colombian controversy

[projekktor id=’23675′]

In an emotional presentation today at City Hall as three Canadian-Colombians living here in Hamilton called for a new code of conduct for councillors. This comes after councillor Lloyd Ferguson’s comments comparing Hamilton’s transit system to Colombia’s.

In February Ferguson was quoted saying: “the only wealthy people in Colombia are drug lords” and “when I was in Colombia, all I saw was chickens riding the buses” Ten days later councillor Ferguson met with 12 members of the Colombian community.

Councillor Ferguson wasn’t at the general issues meeting today. We’ve learned from him that he’s dealing with an important family matter but issued us this statement: “after reflection on my comments I apologized to the Canadian Colombians on February 17th. I have nothing further to comment.”

Ferguson sent a letter to the Ambassador of Colombia but he hasn’t apologized to the community here and has yet to retract his statements.

Councillor Matthew Green put forward a motion to have the recommendations reviewed by the governance committee. In the meantime, the group plans to file a formal complaint with the city’s integrity commissioner.