Town of Fort Frances Coun. Douglas Judson left partway through the regular council meeting held Monday evening in protest, following a defeated motion and a 6-1 vote on the investigation of altering meeting times and formats for the incoming council.
The item of discussion titled ‘Removing Barriers to Participation on Council’ was brought forward by Judson. In his memo and remarks at council, Judson said he wants to see three things happen to pave the way for more participation from different age and ethnic demographics in the community.
The first thing, Judson said, is to make the ability to join meetings virtually permanent, subject to restriction in the Municipal Act. The second would be to require that all meetings of Council and Committee of the Whole, other than emergency meetings, take place in the evening, Judson said. Finally, he added that executive committees take place either at 7:30 a.m. or 5:30 p.m.
“With an initial item of business being to determine what the regular meeting time will be going forward based on the availability of members,” Judson said. “The purpose of these things is really just to send a message to the community that their voices are welcome at this table in a meaningful way.”
The defeated recommendation was to refer Judson’s memorandum to the Administration and Finance Executive Committee. While five councillors and Mayor June Caul voted to shelf the item to when a planned governance review is completed and to ultimately be decided by the future council, they applauded Judson’s efforts to address the need for more diversity around the council table. The next municipal election will take place in October.
A governance review allows an organization or a corporation to analyze and examine its bylaws, boards and policies to ensure good governance. The process has been launched by the municipality, with administration currently seeking a neutral consultant to conduct the review, according to Mayor Caul.
Coun.Wendy Brunetta said while there are great ideas in Judson’s memorandum, tackling them right now would be putting the cart before the horse.
“I think it’s really important for us to go through the governance review, prior to making any changes like this. I also think it’s not appropriate for Administration and Finance to deal with this,” Brunetta said. “I just feel like we’re dictating to the future people coming in and telling them what time they should meet, when really it should be up to them to make those decisions.”
Councillors Andrew Hallikas and John McTaggart echoed Brunetta and also said they appreciate and agree with Judson’s report. But, they said they are not in position to support it without a governance review in place.
While Judson said he appreciated the general support the initiative received, he felt their comments could be interpreted by observers that they do not want to run against young people.
“And it sounds like none of you want low income people and none of you want working people. And none of you want any diversity at this table for another four and a half years,” Judson said. “That’s what I hear. I think that’s what the community hears in all fairness when we talk about this. Diversity isn’t a threat to anyone. Diversity makes our decision making better.”
Wiedenhoeft and Brunetta did not accept Judson’s comments and said they are not against diversity.
Brunetta said she gets upset when she is portrayed as being against diversity.
“I get quite upset when people put words in my mouth,” she said. “I’m not against running against anyone who puts their name forward, young, old, black, white, whatever. I think this is a democratic society. And we’re all allowed to put our name forward. And I encourage everyone to put their name forward. I am not against making changes. I just think that this is not the time to do it.”
Judson said as a working individual on council, he had previously asked council to move the meeting time to accommodate his working schedule. Judson said the mayor obstructed these efforts.
However, Coun. Mike Behan said it was not just the mayor who obstructed this. Behan said the suggested times did not fit in his schedule either and therefore was voted down.
“How do you set up a system that works for everybody? It’s very difficult,” Behan said. “What’s convenient for one person may not be convenient for somebody else. It was not just the mayor who obstructed it.”
Wiedenhoeft also said there are different factors to consider, such as what the day will look like for staff members who will be working extra hours in the morning and the evening.
“We are all in favour of diversity on council that goes without question. I, too, am in favour of diversity. But people have presented ideas that they think have to be considered. We’re all in favour of diversity, Doug, but there are things that have to be considered,” Wiedenhoeft said. “We are not against diversity, please don’t frame us as being in that position.”
Caul said she feels that every member of council sees the need for diversity, adding that this council already represents diversity, with two female members and a young-aged member of the LGBTQ community.
“No matter how much you try to attract people to run for office, it’s ultimately their choice,” Caul said. “It’s our job to try to promote people running. All we can do is suggest support.”
