Calgary Councillor Who Leaked Confidential Budget Documents Apologizes, But ‘Would Do It Again’

Calgary City Hall is shown in a file photo. The Canadian Press/Jeff McIntosh

A Calgary city councillor who leaked confidential budget documents to the media says he “would do it again,” but vows to keep future confidential information private and leave closed-door meetings when discussions “border on being unethical.”

Landon Johnston said on social media on Sept. 2 that he provided a Calgary reporter with confidential budget documents showing that property taxes could soar by 20 percent next year under one scenario.

However, Mayor Jeromy Farkas said that was one of several scenarios council was debating in private, and that the leak raised broader security, financial, and legal concerns.

In a Sept. 3 social media post, Farkas said the proposed 20 percent increase was based on adding together “every department request, every proposed program, every spending increase, every want and every wish,” as well as responsibilities downloaded from the provincial government.

Johnston did not attend the meeting, and instead sent a memo saying his lawyer advised him to stay away because of his interests in the decision. He also defended his decision as an act of transparency rather than a disregard for confidentiality.

The first-term councillor also spoke to reporters outside council chambers.

“I apologize for breaking the rules,” Johnston said. “But I would do it again.”

Meanwhile, city officials told councillors during the meeting that council’s powers to investigate and act on misconduct allegations have been reduced because of changes the provincial government made to legislation last year.

The Epoch Times contacted the minister’s office for comment but did not hear back by publication.

Councillors later voted 12–2 to inform Alberta’s Municipal Affairs Minister Dan Williams and the provincial privacy commissioner about the leak.

Johnston told reporters he also wrote a letter to Williams asking for a full investigation into the leak and others that have occurred in the past.

“This is what they wanted. Hiding and controlling the narrative and information was and will always be the goal of government,” he said

Johnston also argued that councils were never meant to hold budget deliberations in private under the Municipal Government Act and said “whistle-blowers are not protected.”

“My intent was to inform tax-payers of the potential of property taxes well ahead of the council budget meetings,” Johnston added.

Calgary mayor Farkas rejected Johnston’s claim that council wanted to keep the information secret, saying councillors must keep information confidential when personal information is involved.

Farkas said he was “leading a serious budget process that is looking at everything,” including cuts, staff changes, contracts, negotiations, and agreements with outside partners.

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.