Bylaws and order
An update to the county procedural bylaw provoked some discussion, which is always a good thing.
Basically, this bylaw spells out how county council works and is a blueprint for residents wishing to engage with council in a public setting. All meetings where a quorum of council convenes are open for observation to voters, apart from in-camera sessions.
This past week a slight tweak was proposed to limit the amount of time a delegation may speak to council. The 10 minutes previously used was dropped to a five-minute session.
After muted debate and a passionate plea from Erin county councillor Jeff Duncan, this change was not instituted. Instead, 10 minutes to address council and committees remains in place, as has been the practice for a very long time.
Councils in this coverage area have rarely had to impose the limit. Sometimes, depending on the subject, extensions are granted to give enough time to understand the issue or ask pertinent questions. For reference, 10 minutes allows most speakers to mouth 1,500 words. Five minutes would cut the word count to 750 words, which is about the length of this column each week.
Having sat through plenty of meetings as a participant and observer, the ability to speak and articulate effective comments isn’t a skill everyone has. On occasion great patience is required, but that really is part of the job, to hear and treat with respect the public they serve.
Wisely, delegations are encouraged to visit committee meetings first, where in most cases they will be welcomed and able to present their views on a matter before the group in a less formal setting.
The five-minute rule for delegations exists in Guelph and Guelph/Eramosa for example. Again, it is entirely rare for a delegate being cut off; extensions are generally granted for delegates making valid points in a respectful manner. Unfortunately, there are occasions where delegates choose to antagonize or belittle the very people they hope to convince to see an issue their way. It was a strategy we never viewed as wise, but we all have our ways.
Last Thursday was a good day for local democracy. It couldn’t be described as monumental, but it proves councillors read the fine print in their package and care about participation from the public they serve.
Aye aye
Against gambling? There was some good news last week.
Local Senator Rob Black joined a chorus of senators calling on the federal government to ban sports gambling ads on TV.
Forty-one other senators signed too. The first signatories hail from Charlottetown and Waterloo, making the point in part that this is a national issue.
Since sports betting legislation was relaxed in 2021, it seems like every mainstream sporting event is sullied by offers to bet or learn the latest bet options. This may indeed be fun for some people, but like with most addictive behaviours, there are casualties drawn into the web.
Offsetting this advertising designed to attract clientele are support groups for those who can’t break the habit. Oddly, a poor choice by government to drive behaviours has spawned another industry to counter it.
Hopefully other senators and lawmakers in the House of Commons decide to get serious about gambling.
It’s a vice with a heavy price.
