I’m thinking of nominating the Town of Amherstburg for the annual ‘most secretive municipal body’ award from the Centre for Free Expression.

Last September the Information and Privacy Commission (IPC) launched a Transparency Challenge to government institutions on September 28, 2022, International Right to Know Day. All government levels were encouraged to share their innovative projects or programs that improve government transparency for the benefit of Ontarians.

From the IPC website: Why did the IPC launch the Transparency Challenge?

Privacy and Transparency in a Modern Government is one of the IPC’s four strategic priorities. With the Transparency Challenge, and the Transparency Showcase we want to show great examples as a way to encourage others towards greater openness and transparency. We also want to increase public awareness and understanding of the positive impacts open data can have in concretely improving the day-to-day lives of Ontarians. This is one of several IPC initiatives to advance Ontarians’ access rights and inspiring greater transparency among public institutions.

In February 2022, Stratford, Ont., city council was declared Canada’s ‘most secretive’ by Toronto think-tank, the Centre for Free Expression (CFE). Read the full CBC article.

Given the history of FOI requests, Appeals, Inquiries, excessive fees, and the fact that it’s been over three years since former CAO Miceli that the Town of Amherstburg was in the process of creating a Routine Disclosure and Active Dissemination Policy, I’m optimistic about the town’s chances of being an award recipient.

Current CAO Critchley now advises: the Town continues to investigate a number of policies and their associated role within the organization but at this time the Town of Amherstburg has not adopted a specific policy to govern the many ways in which the Town actively disseminates and routine discloses information to the public.

Last night’s council meeting was shorter, there were less speeches, less pettiness, and less personal anecdotes – worth a few gold stars!

The passing of the gavel just to pose a question seems unnecessary. And, when a council member requests a report, administration should comply, which is their job – to implement council’s decisions. It is not up to administration to decide when, why or if council should be provided with documents.

Likewise, council should not be concerned with how much work is involved in preparing reports. Council needs fully researched reports, both pros and cons, to decide what’s in the best interests of the community. Administration is a-political.

Email to CAO Critchley and members of council:

for those who are unaware, a Routine Disclosure Policy, recommended decades ago by the Information and Privacy Commission, was being looked at three years ago, according to then-CAO Miceli. The topic was discussed at council meetings but still no policy has been created. Such a policy would reflect a commitment to open government, transparency and accountability since routine requests for information would not place a ‘burden’ on administration or taxpayers. Public information should routinely be disclosed to the public – that is a best practice.

Residents should not routinely be advised to submit FOI requests in lieu of a policy and/or in lieu of members of council or administration ignoring requests for information.

I strongly urge the council, who has policy making authority, to enact this policy for the betterment of the community.

Related:

Request For Routine Disclosure Policy Now Three Years Old

Request For Routine Disclosure Policy Now Two Years Old

Councillor Prue Supports Routine Disclosure Policy

Amherstburg Clerk And Mayor Respond to Routine Disclosure Policy Request

Amherstburg Needs Routine Disclosure Policy

A Year Later, No Town Policy Re Routine Requests For Information

Reporter’s And Individual’s Requests For Information Compared

Accessing Information In Amherstburg

It only took two weeks! I notified CAO Critchley that the town’s website changes made it difficult to read. The calendar page had a serif typeface with slashed zeros and she asked if I could provide a screenshot, below.

On April 15 I emailed Deputy Mayor Gibb regarding the April 11 meeting discussion about the proposed hotel at 256 Dalhousie.

I requested a comment because he asked if the delegate could expand on that and tell us what you would lose as far as accessibility goes?

I also asked if he had been advised by the integrity commissioner that he should declare a conflict of interest regarding this proposed ZBA application?

I further stated, it appears you have an interest in accessibility for the proposed hotel, as you did for your in-laws and open air. do you have any answers for me in response to my accessibility questions to members of council?

On April 24 I reminded Deputy Mayor Gibb that it’s been over a week and he’s not answered my April 15 questions. I also asked if he was concerned about the stairs at the back of the proposed hotel.

It was only a week ago that I posted about the need for more decorum at meetings – ‘less speeches, personal anecdotes and repetitive comments and my pet peeve – staff appreciation.’

Exactly six months into the term and things seem to be steadily deteriorating. During the Deputy Mayoral candidate night, Chris Gibb said, leaders don’t stand there and point out what everyone else did wrong. Maybe he should share that wisdom with Councillors Crain and McArthur. He also said the petty bickering, the constant battles need to stop and we need to all start rowing in the same direction.

Well, then why not call a point of order when it happens during a meeting?

Things to add to my wish list of good behaviour after having viewed the April 24 meeting:

• curtail irrelevant information; an approximate 41 minute presentation by Fire Chief Montone when the report was attached to the agenda? was a history back to the 40s necessary?
• have Mayor Prue use the gavel to maintain order instead of to speak; there’s a big difference between debating a motion and objecting in an offensive or harshly critical manner and it should stop.
• dispense with informalities; abide by rules of order.
• set a time limit for speeches; learn best practice.
• set a time limit for questions to staff; again, best practice.
• stop staff on either side of the mayor from whispering in his ears; is he seeking their input?
• stop acknowledging staff as speakers wanting to provide input just to make a point.
• stop asking staff if they can meet deadlines for reports; if council deems it necessary to make informed decisions by a certain date, staff should comply.
• reduce the amount of staff to speak to an issue; CAO, Deputy CAO, Dr. Planner, and a few unknown speakers because, unfortunately, they don’t identify themselves.
• stop using acronyms; these aren’t staff meetings.
• start consistently and fairly enforcing and/or waiving rules to hear from the public.
• consider whether it’s a discriminatory practice to not implement a policy that recognizes the viewing public from home might want to speak but are not afforded the same opportunity as members attending in person.
• Realize there have been complaints about one-sided staff reports and communications not being included in the agenda.

And, just to satisfy people who want to view things from a purely positive perspective, the election is only three and half years away.