The city of Toronto says it is “not aware” of residents being given preferential treatment regarding bylaw enforcement in the Scarborough-Agincourt ward, despite claims made by the ward’s councillor in a secretly made recording.

In the recording obtained by the Star, Coun. Jim Karygiannis can be heard driving around his ward seeking out suspected bylaw infractions. He is also heard saying that he does not report suspected infractions at homes of those who have supported him in the election with donations or by volunteering.

But that behaviour might breaks council’s code of conduct, one democracy watchdog told the Star, and has drawn criticism from Karygiannis’s colleagues across the political spectrum at city hall.

“Colourful language aside, I trust people understand that a politician will at times speak politically,” Karygiannis told the Star last week. “But that doesn’t mean the integrity of city staff and the fine work they do should be called into question as a result of this secret recording.”

Asked on Monday for comment, he referred to his previous statement to the Star, which outlined his commitment to the community and his residents.

City spokesperson Brad Ross told the Star that all complaints about suspected bylaw infractions are investigated and that they “primarily” come through the city’s 311 hotline for residents.

“However, if councillors refer specific complaints/issues directly to (municipal licensing and standards), they are investigated as well,” Ross said in an email to the Star.

Ross said the city is “not aware” of residents being given preferential treatment in Karygiannis’s ward.

Since 2015, there has also been a dedicated hotline for councillors to relay issues “that require time sensitive action or follow up,” Ross said. That line has handled some 650 interactions.

The councillor hotline was initiated at Karygiannis’s request, Ross said

Asked if municipal licensing and standards staff want councillors driving around their ward policing their own residents, Ross said it is “not uncommon for councillors, or residents, to submit issues/complaints to 311 for investigation.”

Duff Conacher, the co-founder of advocacy group Democracy Watch, said the recording could warrant a code of conduct complaint against Karygiannis. “This is an appearance of a conflict of interest if you’re letting people off who voted for you, or donated, or volunteered for you,” he said.

Council code of conduct investigations are done on a complaints basis and are dealt with by the city’s integrity commissioner. The Star is not aware of any complaint about the recording having been made.

Councillor Michael Ford, who was elected in Ward 1 (Etobicoke North) after the area had long been represented by his uncles Rob and Doug Ford, called Karygiannis’s comments “unacceptable.”

“When seeking public office, you know that you will have some people that support you and others who will not. In Etobicoke North, we serve all of our constituents no matter who they vote for. I believe that this is a fundamental part of our job,” Ford told the Star.

Ford said being proactive in responding to community issues is part of the role, “however, I don’t believe it is our role to police individual residents and act as bylaw officers.”

He added that he believes Karygiannis “cares deeply” about his Scarborough community.

“City councillors serve every resident in the ward they represent, not only those who voted for them or donated to their election campaign,” said Coun. Josh Matlow, a centrist who represents Ward 12 (Toronto-St. Paul’s). “In fact, we should work hard, with integrity, to earn the confidence of our community with every decision we make and action we take.”

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Mayor John Tory’s spokesperson Don Peat said only that Tory “expects all councillors to deal with all residents fairly and respectfully.”

Rhoda Potter, president of the Agincourt Village Community Association, told the Star that Karygiannis has worked to make many improvements to her community in a short amount of time, noting several examples.

“I have never seen any of what you’re saying in your article,” she said. “Our city councillor is working for positive change in Scarborough-Agincourt.”