Nenshi says Alberta Ombudsman has no business investigating city affairs

CalgaryMayor Naheed Nenshi isn't pleased with the province's move to give theAlbertaOmbudsman the power to investigate municipalities.

"I'm a bit grumpy about this," the mayor said ofanyexpansion of the ombudsman'sscope.

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Nenshisaid he met recently withombudsman PeterHourihan,an independent officer of the legislature,and let him know any reports he produces aboutcity departments would go straight into the recycling bin.

The mayor notedCalgary already hasan auditor, a whistleblower program,and an integrity commissioner to investigate public complaints or to look into programs that aren't operating as they should.

"My point isif you,as a citizen,disagree with a decision made by city administration, I'm the appeal. City council is the appeal,because we are ultimately responsible to the citizens,not somebody who doesn't even work for this order of government, in a different place," Nenshi said.

The mayor said he understands how theombudsman could be useful for small municipalities that don't have an auditor, but for larger citiesthe size of Calgary or Edmonton, the position is redundant.

On its official website, the Alberta Ombudsman position is described as: "Your voice of fairness."

"The Alberta Ombudsman responds to complaints of unfair treatment by provincial government authorities and designated professional organizations," the descriptionstates.