Category Archives: amherstburg

Request For Routine Disclosure Policy Now Three Years Old

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It’s been three years since I requested council create a protocol for requests for information; a good indication of open government.

In February 2020, then-CAO Miceli advised, that the Town of Amherstburg was in the process of creating a Routine Disclosure and Active Dissemination Policy and that I might wish to review the policy when it appears on the agenda for Council’s consideration and approval in the near future.

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.

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

Amherstburg Needs Routine Disclosure Policy

Amherstburg Clerk And Mayor Respond to Routine Disclosure Policy Request

Councillor Prue Supports Routine Disclosure Policy

Request For Routine Disclosure Policy Now Two Years Old

Rules Were Meant To Be Unfair?

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Was anyone minding the clock? I didn’t hear any reminders about the time limit as I have in the past for some delegates. I also didn’t hear the Mayor use the gavel.

The Amherstburg Soccer Club’s delegation at council’s March 14, 2022 meeting was 18 minutes, followed by a 48 minute question and answer session with members of council and staff for a total of 66 minutes.

First the delegation was late, but Mayor DiCarlo stated they could move on to the next item and then come back to them.

According to the town’s website, delegates are governed by Amherstburg Council’s Procedural By-law 2014-91, specifically:

  • Section 5.5 – Council will allow a maximum of five minutes per delegation per regular Council meeting. No more than four delegations will be heard per item of discussion by Council. The five minute timeline will be strictly enforced. The Clerk shall set a timer at the commencement of the delegation’s presentation. The Mayor/Chair at the conclusion of the five minutes shall inform the delegation that the time limit has been exceeded and thank the delegation for the presentation. Only upon a verbal motion to extend the five minute limit adopted by a majority of members shall the five minute limit be extended.

Request For Routine Disclosure Policy Now Two Years Old

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One might conclude there is a lack of willingness to be more open and transparent, given the lack of agenda reports, the lack of in camera resolutions, the incomplete information recorded in the minutes, the lack of reporting out from in camera information.

My request to council that a protocol for requests for information be created for taxpayers is now two years old.

Former CAO Miceli advised, in February 2020, that the Town of Amherstburg was in the process of creating a Routine Disclosure and Active Dissemination Policy and that I might wish to review the policy when it appears on the agenda for Council’s consideration and approval in the near future.

I repeated my request in April 2021 and council, instead of creating a policy, received the item under consent correspondence.

How long does it take to create a Routine Disclosure and Active Dissemination Policy that the Information and Privacy Commissioner revised in SEPTEMBER 1998?

What will it take for council to commit to being more open and transparent?

VOTE October 24, 2022 – hold candidates accountable.