Council argues over time

By Joel Wittnebel/The Oshawa Express

Time is precious.

No place is that cliché more evident than in city council chambers, as some councillors have argued.

The discussion followed a motion from Mayor John Henry that would limit a councillor’s time for asking questions of a delegation and staff to 10 minutes each.

Henry explained the time limit would be sufficient as the time for asking questions of delegations and staff should be done at the committee level before an item reaches the council floor.

However, Councillor Amy England disagreed, claiming the time restrictions would be a detriment to councillors who are unable to attend every committee meeting, especially those on which they do not sit.

“We’re limiting the ability for us to participate in our democratic right as council members,” England said.

England also claimed the motion could seek to silence councillors who are in opposition to an item and could prohibit councillors from effectively showing the public why certain decisions were made.

“We’re public officials and our job is to be here so the public understands how we make decisions,” England said.

The motion was ultimately tabled.

This isn’t the first time councillors have argued about the amount of time they have to speak during meetings.

Early in this council term, following a report from the Public Participation Committee, debate erupted following a recommendation that would have seen council members limited to two questions apiece to a delegation.

Council eventually decided not to accept that part of the committee’s report.