This morning (November 7), Vision Vancouver mayoral candidate Gregor Robertson sent a letter to Coun. Peter Ladner, the Non Partisan Association’s mayoral nominee, calling for an end to the secrecy surrounding the city’s $100-million loan to the developer of the Olympic Village.

In the open letter, Robertson asks his political rival five questions.

Here's Robertson's letter:

Friday, November 7, 2008
Open letter to Peter Ladner From Gregor Robertson

Dear Councillor Ladner,

When the campaign for mayor began, you and I both promised an open debate about ideas in the best interest of the people of Vancouver. In these tough financial times, and with serious issues like homelessness, affordable housing and crime facing our City, there must be an end to the secrecy that continues to surround the $100 million loan of taxpayer dollars to a private firm, the Millennium Development, to complete the Olympic Village project. This comes on the heels of a loan guarantee to Fortress Investments, a Millenium investor.

The overwhelming perception that important financial information is being covered up erodes public confidence and raises many questions. This must change and efforts to restore confidence must be made swiftly.

It is essential for Vancouver taxpayers that you immediately answer five key questions as a start:

1. Will you support Vision Vancouver’s proposal for an emergency, open council meeting next week to have a full public report on the financial situation?
2. Will you agree to invite Estelle Lo, the Director of Finance, to this meeting to provide her analysis on the financial implications for the City of Vancouver without prejudice to her position?
3. When did you learn that Estelle Lo, the Director of Finance, reportedly had serious concerns about a loan to Millennium Development and when were you intending to report those concerns to the public?
4. As Chair of Vancouver’s Finance and Budget Committee will you agree to an open and transparent process to look at the City’s financial security with regards to the Millennium Development project?
5. And lastly, will you support Vision Vancouver’s proposal that an independent auditor, with the confidence of all councillors, conduct a proper review of the financial situation and provide independent recommendations on a sound financial way forward for the City?

The citizens of Vancouver should expect no less than full and open disclosure of how every one of their tax dollars are spent - let alone $100 million of them. I look forward to your prompt reply to this letter.

Sincerely,

Gregor Robertson