Continuing our deep dive into where candidates stand on Open Air, today we look at incumbent Peter Courtney’s response.

Unlike previous candidates who provided lengthy, detailed answers to my question, Courtney’s reply was brief, pointing to past material published on his Facebook page.

When asked about his position on the accessibility issues surrounding the street closures, Courtney provided the following statement:

“I have answered this question on OA, on my Facebook page. To answer your question, yes! Accessibility was referenced in my statement. Have a good night!”

Key takeaways:

• A “Yes” on the Principle of Accessibility: Courtney confirms that his position on Open Air factors in accessibility considerations.
• Redirection to Social Media: Rather than detailing his voting record or policy positions in this message, he pointed to his official campaign or Peter Courtney Facebook page where he has previously posted statements regarding Open Air.

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The Reality: The Barrier of Forcing Voters to Search for Answers

While he acknowledges accessibility in his platform, Courtney’s response highlights a different kind of barrier for residents trying to navigate the election: the information barrier.

For residents with disabilities who are asking an incumbent how they plan to fix an exclusionary, ableist event layout, being told to go find the answer on a Facebook page feels dismissive. Navigating social media feeds to find specific policy positions takes time and effort—that shouldn’t be shifted onto the voter when a question is asked.

Furthermore, checking a box by saying accessibility was “referenced” doesn’t tell us how it is being handled. For an individual who uses their vehicle as a primary assistive mobility device, a simple mention isn’t enough. We need to know if an incumbent intends to keep voting to ban cars from the downtown core or if they recognize that the pandemic-era pedestrian model is inherently restrictive. A generic “yes” leaves residents completely in the dark about actual legislative intent.

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What Do You Think?

As an incumbent councillor, Peter Courtney is directing voters away from direct communication and onto social media platforms; it leaves critical questions about the event footprint unanswered here.

Should incumbents be expected to provide direct, explicit policy details when asked about accessibility, or is pointing to a Facebook page sufficient? Let me know your thoughts and stay tuned as more candidate responses come in.