Proposed Bylaw To Cut Presentation Times

Monday afternoon’s Council and Executive Committee meeting may have a heavy agenda but there’s a potential change that could have a major impact on citizen participation.

During Executive Committee the committee will discuss the new Procedures and Committees Bylaw #5746. The proposed bylaw is a new and updated bylaw designed to replace Bylaw #5176.

The proposed latest version of the bylaw reduces the time Council can be addressed from the present 10 minutes to five minutes.

Excerpt from Bylaw #5176 allowing presenters m/presentations 10 minutes to address Council

It is unknown what’s behind the reasoning for the seemingly 50 percent reduction in the time allowed for presenters.

It must be noted the new bylaw would have been drawn up in private by Administration (without public input or participation) and may have included Executive Committee participation in an in camera setting.

Excerpt of proposed BYLAW #5746 allowing presenters five minutes to address Council

The proposed bylaw - if approved by Executive Committee - would have to go to Council and pass three readings to go into effect.

It needs to be noted that over the past number of years, the City has been actively requesting more public participation and input from its residents.