September 16, 2008: THE TORONTO STAR

By: JOHN SPEARS, DONOVAN VINCENT, PAUL MOLONEY
      CITY HALL BUREAU

Mike Del Grande leaves board after city committee rejects its two 'grassroots' nominees for vacancies

The Toronto Zoo's embattled board of directors has lost another member with the resignation of Councillor Mike Del Grande.

Del Grande's resignation – effective yesterday – comes a week after the City of Toronto's nominating committee rejected two candidates proposed by the zoo board to fill vacancies.

Del Grande wasn't commenting yesterday on his sudden resignation. But in an interview with the Star last month he expressed frustration about the board shortly after it voted to give zoo CEO Cal White the authority to end its fundraising agreement with the zoo's foundation.

Late last week, White said he hasn't decided yet whether to terminate the agreement. But he's expected to decide soon, because the zoo plans to embark on a $250 million fundraising drive.

Some board members believe the foundation has done a poor job of raising money. But some former foundation members and its current chair blame governance issues for the fundraising shortfalls.

Del Grande was "disappointed" with the board's decision to let White sever ties with the foundation and said it showed a lack of respect for the volunteer organization. He also said some councillors on the board – which includes five councillors and six members of the public – weren't treating the zoo as the arm's-length body it is supposed to be. "We are there to represent the city. We are not there to represent the (board) at council."

Yesterday, fellow zoo board member Glenn De Baeremaeker said Del Grande's departure was a loss to the zoo, describing his background as a chartered accountant as an asset. "When you're about to raise $250 million, that type of knowledge base and integrity helps you."

Del Grande's departure also widens the gap on the zoo board.

Vice-chair Peter Evans's term has expired, and the board is also seeking a permanent replacement for the position currently filled on an interim basis by Dudley Williams. 

Several of the board positions are expected to be filled with people who have scientific expertise. After the civic appointments committee last week rejected both of the board's nominees, Councillor Janet Davis, who chairs that committee, said it asked the board "to do further targeted outreach and recruitment and interviews."

Councillor Cliff Jenkins, a fellow committee member, explained that "the intent was to have some high-profile people on the board, just to give more substance to the board. It could be scientific or people of other stature," such as environmentalist David Suzuki, he said.

Councillor Giorgio Mammoliti, a zoo board member who chairs its nominating panel, called the rejections interference. "You've got to listen to the common folk," he said. "We don't necessarily always have to come up with a scientist. In this case, we felt the grassroots board members would mean a lot."

Councillor Adam Vaughan, a member of the appointments committee, defended the rejections. He said the positions were supposed to be for "high-profile scientific candidates" who might have been found with "a different kind of search."

Councillor Raymond Cho, who chairs the zoo board, was unavailable for comment yesterday.

The zoo has been through several controversies this year. The board spent months clarifying White's status after he took an extended leave of absence starting in December. He returned to his post in July.

Board member and Councillor Michael Thompson said the zoo has some serious governance issues to resolve: "It's my view that management is controlling the board of the zoo, and that has to change."