$50,000 "pat yourself on the back" session for welfare workers

Toronto Sun's Sue-Ann Levy:

Some 550 Toronto welfare workers are expected to "mix and mingle" with their colleagues at a $50,000 shindig slated for tonight at Roy Thomson Hall, the Sun has learned.

And this is the fifth year such a shmoozefest -- called the "Living the Vision" forum -- has been approved by senior city staff and held at the same swanky locale, seemingly without most of council's knowledge.

The doors open at 5 p.m. and the festivities are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. with the formal planning and recognition part of the program. The rest of the event -- from 7 to 9 p.m. -- has been set aside for a "Mix and Mingle."

The city's general manager of social services, Heather MacVicar, didn't return several phone calls from the Sun and brushed aside all questions at a budget committee meeting yesterday, citing a "family emergency."