It would be so much more enjoyable, and less time consuming, if council meetings were conducted with more decorum – less speeches, personal anecdotes and repetitive comments and my pet peeve – staff appreciation. I understand the importance of council/staff relations, but offering kudos and thanking staff for a report? applauding staff for reading comments into the record?

As recently as the March 14 post, Open Air Post Review To Council, copied to council, I offered kudos to Councillor Pouget for consistently acknowledging the town’s legal obligation to comply with provincial legislation, specifically, the AODA and Human Rights Code.

At the April 17 meeting, Short Term Rentals, Councillor Pouget raised a concern regarding the accessibility issues: According to the provincial government guidelines do mention accessibility legislation, including the Human Rights Code for short term rentals. Pouget asked Mr. Tetler has that been taken into consideration?

Mr. Tetler said these properties would need to be brought into compliance with the Fire Code and the Ontario Building Code so he couldn’t speak to what each property would have at this time.

Councillor Pouget said she was basically referring to the Accessibility Act, according to the provincial government,

CAO Crtichley explained the Building Code has specifications for what has to be in properties to comply with AODA so these homes will need to be in compliance with the Building Code.

As I mentioned on March 13, the Human Rights Code has primacy over all other Ontario legislation.

I repeat today, kudos to Councillor Pouget for consistently acknowledging the town’s legal obligation to comply with provincial legislation, specifically, the AODA and Human Rights Code.

On March 14, Deputy Mayor Gibb spoke about his in-laws, as he did yesterday, in reference to where family members live, in Blue Mountain, and when they come to Amherstburg to visit his in laws.

As council’s rep on the Accessibility Advisory committee, Councillor McArthur should have advocated for the removal of barriers.

Councillor McArthur offered kudos to the bylaw department while Councillor Crain wanted to thank staff for their work on this. A staff member listed about twelve municipalities that were looked at. Shouldn’t all of the research been included in a ‘fulsome’ report so council was more informed?

Councillor Allaire shared her personal experience of what she prefers as a renter and was in favour of Option C.

I counted four members of council who encouraged people to continue contacting authorities to report disturbances.