Two Toronto councillors who oppose a casino say they’re puzzled their criticisms have prompted a complaint to the city’s integrity commissioner.

A pro-casino, right-wing advocacy group formally alleged Tuesday that comments of Councillors Adam Vaughan and Mike Layton violated the code of conduct, which requires councillors to show respect for city staff.

The councillors ran afoul of the code in describing as “fictitious” the staff estimate of hosting fees the city could gain from a casino.

The issue of hosting fees was outlined in a report issued Monday by city manager Joe Pennachetti.

“Both councillors have alleged Mr. Pennachetti has made up the figures,” said Matthew McGuire, president of the Toronto Taxpayers Coalition that filed the complaint. “This is a very serious allegation.”

Layton and Vaughan, whose wards include possible casino sites, said their job is to question conclusions released by the civic bureaucracy.

“We’re not mindless automatons that just rubber-stamp stuff,” said Layton (Ward 19, Trinity-Spadina). “We’re supposed to read reports critically and come up with a decision, that’s what we’re elected to do.

“The code of conduct is about being disrespectful of staff. This (complaint) is just frivolous.”

Vaughan (Ward 20, Trinity-Spadina) said he stands by his comments.

“None of the numbers in this report are real, they’re all hypothetical. The hosting fee is hypothetical,” Vaughan said. “

“It’s my job as a city councillor to question staff reports that are put in front of me,” he added. “I’m not going to stop doing my job, and I’m not going to back away from my criticisms of the report.”

McGuire said the complaint was filed Tuesday morning with the office of integrity commissioner Janet Leiper. Leiper couldn’t be reached for comment.

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