I’ve added a new page under the 2022 Election tab for campaign platforms, starting with Mayor Prue; as time permits, the rest will be added.
I started this blog in 2011 as a reference for upcoming elections so I hope this will help compare promises and whether or not they were fulfilled or forgotten for the 2026 election.
I don’t usually post meeting previews because the full agendas are available on the town’s site and anyone can subscribe to receive them via email by filling in the online form. But there are a few hot topics worth mentioning.
There are still links from minutes to ‘This item has no attachments.’
Minutes to be approved: one Regular Meeting on December 12, 2022 and eight in-camera meetings:
December 12
January 23
February 8
February 13
February 22 – could not find calendar listing
March 27
April 11 – no calendar listing; moved during the meeting
April 17 and:
March 8 Co-An Park
April 12 Co-An Park
There are a few reports and recommendations on:
Anyone wishing to leave comments on the burg watch blog are now being asked to read this blog’s comments policy prior to commenting (below). While comments are welcome, they are moderated and will not be deleted or censored unless they have content that:
It’s now been two weeks since I asked for comments so I sent a new email to Mayor Prue, who is the town’s official spokesperson.
For the burg watch, regarding emails to council read by Administration. about the history of this: For how long has this practice been occurring? When and why was it initiated and by whom?
Also, has Windsor Police Service provided the answers to questions to WPS Chief Bellaire from members of council when it approved the contract renewal?
The public agenda is available to preview and, according to the Windsor Police Services Board website, meetings can be viewed online at the board’s Facebook page.
As mentioned in the post, Windsor Police Comments for 256 Dalhousie, I requested a copy of the Windsor Police report by Barry Horrobin that formed the basis for his comments attached to the meeting agenda.
Not surprisingly, Windsor Police FOI Coordinator emailed, ‘You must make an access request for a copy of the report’ and she attached a request form and instructions. She further stated if mailing my complete application please ensure to enclose a copy of my identification and the applicable fee.
Of course I wrote back that we already had an Appeal (Windsor Police Dispatch Proposal) and I am NOT REQUIRED to provide identification when requesting general records pursuant to the MFIPPA, so none will be attached to my written request. I would’ve thought Windsor Police would have updated its application accordingly. But I also thought with the new Chief’s pledge for increased transparency, that formal FOI requests would no longer be required.
Read the CBC article, Jason Bellaire is Windsor, Ont.’s new police chief and wants ‘culture change,’ more transparency; he said he plans to implement culture changes and create a more transparent service that works closely with the community.
Another Special Council Meeting to day at 6:00 PM. So far, only agenda item is listed: Orientation to Strategic Planning – Sabine Matheson, Olivia Lahaie, Strategy Corp. The link from the item is to ‘This item has no attachments,’ an issue I have raised in the past.
The livestream should be available to view this meeting.
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.
There are now six delegations for the 5:00 pm meeting listed on the revised agenda regarding the Administration Report, Appendix “B” OWNER OCCUPIED and Appendix “C” Not Owner Occupied. The pages are not numbered.
The provincial guide for municipalities that are considering regulating home-sharing in their communities does mention accessibility and provincial legislation.
There is one delegation, Peggy Thompson, to provide some well researched input on Short Term Rentals.
Some Boblo Island residents have submitted a petition requesting any and all short term rentals be prohibited on the island.
A committee is recommended ‘to address any appeals’ but the report continues that the committee would have full authority to make decisions on applications and appeals relating to licensing matters.
I couldn’t find any mention of accessibility in the Administration Report or Appendix “B” –OWNER OCCUPIED and Appendix “C” – Not Owner Occupied.
The provincial guide for municipalities that are considering regulating home-sharing in their communities does mention accessibility and provincial legislation.
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA)
Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR), O. Reg. 191/11
Ontario has laws to improve accessibility for people with disabilities. The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) is a law that sets out a process for developing and enforcing accessibility standards.
Accessibility standards are laws under the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation that government, businesses, non-profits and public sector organizations must follow to become more accessible. They help organizations identify and remove barriers to improve accessibility for people with disabilities in 5 areas of daily life in the areas of transportation, customer service, employment, information and communications and in the design of public spaces.
The AODA and its related accessibility standards applies to every person or organization that provides goods, services or facilities to the public or other third parties and that has at least one employee in Ontario. Accessibility requirements and deadlines depend on the type and size of your organization.
If an organization has one or more employees, the organization must adhere to the accessibility requirements under the AODA and its standards. Sole proprietors or self-employed individuals who do not have employees are exempt from having to comply with the AODA and its accessibility standards.
the burg watch 