The committee didn’t accomplish much. The only agenda item, the 2026 Municipal Elections Accessibility Plan was just to receive for information – 51 one minutes and 39 seconds until adjournment.

Chair Shirley Curson Prue rarely reads the land acknowledgement but this time she did; she usually just hands everything over to staff.

Tony Pietrangelo, current committee member and councillor candidate provided two memorable moments:

1.Pietrangelo asked if they were having internet voting.

Council voted to continue with the costliest, most labour intensive and least accessible in person voting on September 8, 2025. 

Had it not been for my December 2022 delegation, council would have voted back then for in person voting.

Pietrangelo was present at the October 23, 2025 accessibility committee meeting when admin advised it of council’s in person voting decision.

Of course, the committee moved to endorse the 2026 Municipal Elections Accessibility Plan.

Members still seem unsure of whether to make motions. Typically, the committee limits motions to receive minutes and adjourn but not to receive updates, direct admin to report back, or to take action.

I did delegate to the committee in 2022 and offered suggestions for the committee to be strong advocates and follow procedural rules, but they disregarded my input as usual.

2. The second memorable moment was when Pietrangelo enthusiastically praised the National AccessAbility Week flag raising. 

It was a performative gesture. 

If I were to describe this event to anyone not in attendance, I’d say a small crowd gathered, Prue read a speech, and a staff member raised a flag – that’s it. 

This minimal effort is typical of communities that lack a strong commitment to inclusion and accessibility.

“It’s now part of our standard practices,” advised admin.

It’s a low standard.

The town wants to know about voting barriers – at least that’s what the committee was advised. But my input on voting barriers has been disregarded for a few elections by both council and the accessibility committee.

Councillor Pouget’s motion on December 12, 2024 was that my submission regarding voting barriers be sent to the committee. Of course, the committee didn’t discuss my submission any more than it discussed my previous submissions or my delegations about barriers.

The town wants more people to vote – at least that’s also what the committee was advised. But staff recommended, and council approved, the most inaccessible traditional in person voting which may limit voter turnout. 

No one should be surprised that barriers can repress voter turnout and influence feelings of efficacy for voters with disabilities (Schur et al., Reference Schur, Ameri and Adya2017).

Admin should have recommended a greater variety of voting methods to meet the needs of a variety of voters to increase voter turnout. It’s counterproductive to limit choices and then complain of limited results.

Of course, council should have directed admin to report on the costs of each voting method in December 2022. 

Very briefly, the committee mentioned a library audit.

The library was to have been audited in January 2024. 

An inoperable push button at the hub, future sidewalk repairs, and pickleball parking were noted.

Almost an hour for business that could have been addressed probably within 15 minutes.

Meeting adjourned.