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Residents tell Orangeville council to maintain Question Period

September 21, 2023   ·   0 Comments

By JAMES MATTHEWS, LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER

Democracy is messy.

But removing a citizen’s easy access to elected council or hindering the public’s ability to question councillors doesn’t make democracy less messy. In fact, as some Orangeville residents expressed during the Sept. 11 council meeting, removing question period serves to muddy the process even more.

Orangeville resident Noel Ramsey opposed proposed procedural bylaw amendments. Specifically, he spoke against the suggested change to council meeting procedure that would remove public question period.

According to a report to council, town staff recommend that the Procedure Bylaw be amended to delete section 7.8 for a few reasons.

“Question Period allows for a person to ask council and/or staff questions on any matter, which is problematic as no prior notice is provided to the public on any new item raised and provides staff no ability to be prepared with accurate and complete information,” the report reads.

“In addition, there are more effective and timely opportunities for the public to engage with council and staff outside of council meetings.”

Members of the public can register as a delegate with respect to any matter, up to one week prior to a council meeting; register as a delegate with respect to a matter listed on the agenda, up to 10 a.m. on the morning of a council meeting; with leave of council, a person can register as a delegate with respect to a matter listed on the agenda after the 10 a.m. council deadline.

Section 7.6.1 outlines that a person may address council with their permission during public meetings, at a public information centre, a Mayor’s Town Hall, and by email, phone, in-person discussion, and social media.

Ramsey said residents should be able to ask questions of their elected officials unfettered and in-person during council meetings.

“Governing by social media has grave concerns,” he said. “As members of a council, it is of value for you to know what the community you represent really appreciates as well as what concerns them.”

A resident may ask a question of council that staff doesn’t have information necessary for an answer readily available. Ramsey said there’s nothing wrong with a councillor or staff member saying they’ll get back to the resident with an answer to their query.

“It’s important to also maintain question period near the end of the agenda,” he said.

Gallery members could ask questions of council about issues that had been discussed during the meeting they just watched.

“If you’re serious about having insight into what the people are thinking, I would ask that you please don’t remove this important avenue of communication.”

Graciela Cardenas-Mustapha said she came from a Communist country and she knows well the “slippery slope” that comes when rights are minimized for the sake of convenience.

“Democracy is messy and citizens, residents, and Canadians, we need to reach our public servants,” she said. “And that’s you. We need to have you close. We need to be able to talk to you personally, not by emails, not a phone call.”

It’s essential to maintain public Question Period to maintain a robust democracy, she said.

Cardenas-Mustapha spoke to the town’s previous council about her perception that her rights were being eroded because of COVID-19 mask mandates and vaccine promotion. But, she said, the former mayor shut her down then.

“It’s really important to keep our freedom of speech alive,” Cardenas-Mustapha said. “Even more, invite the public to participate. If you shut down public Question Period, nobody’s going to want to come.”

Councillor Andy Mcintosh said council needs to maintain public Question Period.

“I think there’s far more usefulness being at the front of the agenda,” he said. “If we wait until the end of the agenda, things have already been decided. And it’s too late then.”

Macintosh said there needs to be some measure of control respecting the speakers who approach council but don’t ask a question. Rather, they make statements.

“Question Period is the order to preserve the free speech rights of our citizens,” Coun. Debbie Sherwood said. “Question Period is an essential part of local government meetings.”

Coun. Tess Prendergast said council meetings serve as a direct line of communication between local government and residents. Question Period promotes transparency and accountability.

Coun. Joe Andrews said he supports all the suggested changes to the procedure, except the removal of Question Period.

Coun. Rick Stevens echoed many of the pro-openness sentiments expressed by colleagues.

Deputy Mayor Todd Taylor said being questioned by the voters is part of the job.

“I think we should be connected to the public, and I think obviously Question Period is very important,” Taylor said.

Mayor Lisa Post said the intent of the procedural bylaw changes was not to minimize democracy or transparency. Rather, it was an attempt to optimize the time council has to address issues during a public meeting.

“As a council, we are not allowed to discuss items that move forward town business when we are not in this setting,” she said, and added that Orangeville is one of the last Ontario municipalities to maintain a Question Period.

In Orangeville, public Question Period will be moved closer to the beginning of the council meeting agenda.

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