Integrity commissioner position approved by Calgary commission

City Hall could soon have an integrity commissioner to investigate allegations of wrongdoing.

A Calgary council committee voted this morning to create the position, which is similar to those in other Canadian cities.

Mayor Naheed Nenshi says he's hopeful an integrity commissioner could be on the job by this summer.

"I think council's done a very good job within the bounds of the process that we have now, but i think the process could be much better," Nenshi said.

For weeks, there have been allegations of city councillors behaving inappropriately, including drinking on the job.

But there have been few details of who did what and when.

Coun. Richard Pootmans says the recent complaints aren't entirely the reason for an integrity commissioner but they have shown the need for a better system.

"The substantiated allegations are part of the puzzle, they're very difficult to manage through the city auditor office where this has resided and now it's overdue that this can come to council," he said.

Councillors say today's decision is backed up by months of research.

City council will discuss the idea at its meeting next week.