Opinion – Democracy Is Being Stifled By The Procedural Bylaw

A few months ago, I had a matter before an advisory committee. I was not pleased by the positions taken by both the chairperson and the staff member. My matter, though, was eventually approved and recommended by the advisory committee to Council for its approval.

I later discovered that Council delegates its approval power to staff.

The staff member with the delegated powers determined to ignore the advisory committee’s recommendation and denied my grant application.

Obviously, I was annoyed by this since it was very clear that my grant application met all the criteria the city set out as published on its website.

https://www.burlington.ca/en/planning-and-development/supporting-burlington_s-heritage.aspx

So, I sought through the chairperson and the staff member an opportunity to raise my concerns by delegating at the next advisory committee meeting. I was denied that opportunity initially because there would be no specific agenda item to allow for my delegation. When I asked for an agenda item to be added, I again was denied.

It was then I realized how the current procedure bylaw denies residents the ability to bring directly, in person, their concerns or issues to either council or its committees. Residents are only permitted to delegate on matters council, or its committees, determine they want to talk about.

Democracy is needlessly being curtailed.

Our elected officials constantly talk about engagement. But the engagement is only on subjects they want to engage upon, and they then control how that engagement takes place.

With all that in mind, I attended the All Candidates Meeting put on at the Central Arena on September 12^th. It seemed to be well attended by the public. I saw all ward candidates were in attendance, with the possible exception of Jeremy Gaetan. I did not see him there.

My intention in going was to ask as many candidates as possible the same couple of related questions. Those questions were:

Knowing the present procedure bylaw does not allow for delegations to be made to either council or its committees on a matter that is not an agenda item:

1. Would you, if elected to council, bring or support a motion to amend the procedure bylaw to mandate the placement of an item on each agenda that provides an opportunity for delegates to make delegations on any matter of concern or interest relevant to council or the specific committee?
2. If your answer to the first question is “yes,” will you make a public campaign statement to that effect?

Candidate	Ward	Answer to both questions.
Sean Campbell	Ward 2	Yes
Masha Brar	Ward 2	Yes
Gary Carr	Ward 2	Yes
Robert Radman	Ward 1	Yes
Olivia Duke	Ward 1	Yes
Paul Sharman	Ward 5	No
Mark Carr	Ward 3	Yes

All candidates I spoke to, with the exception of Sharman, answered “yes” to both questions.

Sharman stated his position as being that council does not have the time available to it for such broader democracy. He also stated residents already have the ability to raise concerns or issues with their ward councilor. It should be noted councilors do not have an ability to raise a resident ’ s issue or concern with advisory committees.

Sean Campbell, Ward 2 candidate, and Robert Radway, Ward 1 candidate, have committed to placing a statement via their campaigns’ online presence supporting a change in the procedure bylaw.

I suggest the present rules in place to delegate – prior registration, allotted time etc. – all remain in place except that people may delegate on any subject relevant to council or its committees whether or not it is an agenda item. This “open mic” delegation opportunity would happen once a month whether it be to Council, to the Committee of the Whole, or to an advisory committee.

What should Council, the CoW or an advisory committee do following a delegation?

• Ask questions of the delegate.

• Refer the matter to staff with a requirement to report back in time for the next meeting.

• Consider and determine a formal position.

• Respond publicly to the delegate.

MORE ENGAGEMENT. MORE DEMOCRACY