Nanaimo City Council Open & Transparent?

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Ombudsperson Outlines Best Practices

For Conducting Council Meetings

BC Ombudsperson Ms. Kim Carter made a presentation to city council outlining some of the highlights considered as best practices for local government developed by her office. 

One of the points covered during the presentation is the fact that all deals involving land do not automatically require an in-camera discussion unless it meets a test outlined in the Community Charter under section 90 which states:

"the acquisition, disposition or expropriation of land or improvements, if the council considers that disclosure could reasonably be expected to harm the interests of the municipality:"

This means that as much as city council claim that all land discussions need secrecy, unless they meet this test, that is simply not true.

I doubt if you will see this city council which seems to embrace the benefits of not being accountable by making in-camera decisions make any changes anytime soon. 

They also seem to miss a point made by Ms. Carter about how a healthy democracy demands a government which has the trust of the electorate, such trust is destroyed by a council's unwillingness to make their meetings public, when the need for secrecy has passed. 

It was interesting to note that during question period Mayor Ruttan was asked when the minutes regards the Annex and the minutes regards the Colliery Dam decision would be made public. It was clear from his response there is no intention to be open and transparent right now.

Politicians ...... ya' gotta luv 'em. Out of one side of the mouth they claim openness and transparency, while out of the other side they say they will not release in-camera meeting minutes, even though there is no reason for secrecy...... except of course to remain unaccountable to the public whom they profess to serve.

Are City Managers Really To Blame?

While it is always easy to point a finger at city councilors for their desire for secrecy, you have to wonder if it really isn't city staff who would not like their recommendations, which result in council decisions made public.

Clearly this city council would simply ask Mr. Kenning his opinion on a matter and whatever he says would be pretty much embraced by city councillors, who for the most part are learning the job as they go.