The Town of Amherstburg denied my request to delegate. Again. This is the second time the procedural by-law was cited to deny my public engagement, even though my requests were in compliance with the very restrictive procedural by-law, as acknowledged by Deputy Clerk Sarah Sabihuddin.

Other municipalities welcome residents to speak to items on the agenda. But no, Amherstburg orders that a delegate can speak to an agenda item if it requires a council decision and the item stems from an admin report or by-law.

I completed the online delegation form, identified agenda item 15.2  Amherstburg Accessibility Advisory Committee Achievements in 2025 and 2026 Multi-Year Accessibility Plan; I wish to delegate as a form of civic participation. I will request council to create and enact a Community Engagement Policy.

But, admin set a precedent this time – “demonstrate how the requested action is connected to the matter under consideration.” 

I insisted I complied with the procedural by-law but the deputy clerk countered with, in part, “At this time, your request identifies a proposed action (the creation and enactment of a community engagement policy); however, a clear connection to Item 15.2 – Multi-Year Accessibility Plan has not been established. As a result, the request does not meet the requirements set out in Section 9.4(c) of the Town’s Procedural By-law, which requires delegations to clearly identify the agenda item and the action requested in relation to that matter.

Accordingly, your delegation request has been deemed non-compliant with the Procedural By-law and is denied for the upcoming meeting. You remain welcome to speak to this matter should you wish to resubmit a delegation that clearly demonstrates how your comments relate to an item that is before Council prior to 3:00pm today.”

• Irony 1: “The Town of Amherstburg actively encourages public engagement by inviting members of the community to participate in Council and Committee meetings, fostering a sense of inclusivity and transparency in local governance.” 9.1 of the Procedural By-law.

But delegates must follow very strict rules to participate.

• Irony 2:  A delegation is a person intending to address the Council or Committee on a matter listed on the agenda where a decision of the Council may be required. 9.2

But Mayor Prue, in his 2022 inauguration speech stated, “I hope Council will agree to allow more public deputations without having to all put our hands up and waive the rules every single time. I think people should have the right to make a deputation before Council when the item is on the agenda.”

“When the item is on the agenda.” That’s what he said. So why agree to the very strict rules?

• Irony 3:  (The very strict rules). Delegations during other proceedings of Council or Committees are permitted in relation to matters listed on the agenda stemming from all Administrative reports and by-laws; in accordance with the following:

a) Persons wishing to delegate at any Council or Committee meetings, shall advise the Clerk, no later than the Thursday before the meeting. Delegations shall provide their name, contact information, association with any organization (if applicable) and the agenda item to be addressed;

b) Delegation requests will first be reviewed to determine if it is merely seeking information, and if so, will be directed to the appropriate member of Administration for a response;

c) All delegations shall indicate the item on the agenda they wish to speak to, what action they wish the Assembly to take and shall provide a copy of any material intended for public distribution (this is the very strict rule cited for my denial this time);

d) Delegations appearing before Council, who have previously appeared before Council on the same subject matter, shall be limited to providing only new information in any subsequent delegation request. 9.4 (This section is the one Deputy CAO Melissa Osborne relied on to deny my request to speak at the Economic Development Committee Meeting. Note: it states council, not committee).

• Irony 4: The Clerk may, from time to time, establish or amend procedures related to the Delegation Process, provided that such procedures do not conflict with the provisions of By-law 2023-085. 9.5

Council’s legal role is to create policy so admin should not be allowed to use discretion to establish or amend procedures that conflict with the intent of section 9.1 of the procedural by-law: “The Town of Amherstburg actively encourages public engagement by inviting members of the community to participate in Council and Committee meetings, fostering a sense of inclusivity and transparency in local governance.”