Criminal charges against Michael Bryant, newly appointed chief executive of Invest Toronto , could be a significant setback for the fledgling agency and will force Mayor David Miller to make some tough choices on its leadership, councillors say.
"I don't believe he [Mr. Bryant]can function properly with this cloud over his head, so the mayor's going to have to make some tough decisions," said councillor Brian Ashton, who sits on the city's economic development committee.
"We can't leave Invest Toronto just hanging out there," he said, noting that Mr. Bryant's "drive, creativity and connections" were considered key to the corporation's future success in marketing the city to global investors. Mr. Ashton said he would expect the board to appoint an interim CEO until Mr. Bryant's case is resolved.
The mayor launched Invest Toronto, which has a 15-member board chaired by Mr. Miller, earlier this year along with a corporation called Build Toronto. Both moves were meant to fulfill recommendations of a blue-ribbon panel of business and labour figures on the city's finances.
Mr. Bryant's appointment as CEO, confirmed on May 25, was seen as a major coup for the mayor and was met with optimism in Toronto's business community. The outspoken and flashy former cabinet minister began work in June and was recruiting staff.
He was charged Tuesday with criminal negligence causing death and dangerous driving causing death after a collision in which a 33-year-old cyclist was killed.
"I'm shocked by the news, obviously. However, there is a police investigation and I'm not one to assume certain things," said Councillor Sandra Bussin, who also sits on the economic development committee.
Ms. Bussin said it's too early to say if the charges will jeopardize Mr. Bryant's work with Invest Toronto, but she noted that several strong players on the board could step up if need be, with support from city staff. "The board is bigger than one person," she said.
Mr. Miller declined comment on the future of the economic development corporation, as did most board members and the former interim CEO when contacted Tuesday by The Globe.
"It's too early," said a spokesman for Ann Buller, vice-chair of the board and president of Centennial College. "There is nothing to say at this juncture about what Invest Toronto will be doing as a result of this unfortunate incident."
The arms-length corporation and its sibling, Build Toronto, have assumed most of the functions of the former Toronto Economic Development Corporation. Invest Toronto's mission is to engage the private sector in promoting Toronto as a place for investment with marketing, trade missions and co-ordination with other governments and business.