Public Question Period,
A Mississauga Democratic Tradition Lost
or
The History of Mississauga's Council Procedure By-Law(s).
All the sound clips have been added.
THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF MISSISSAUGA'S The History of Council Procedure By-Law(s) & Public Question Period - A Mississauga Democratic Tradition Lost.
The 9 By-Laws to establish the procedures for meetings of Council and Committees.
As provided by Crystal Greer - City Clerk - Aug. 11, 2006.
This history was written in 2006 and in 2009 the City of Mississauga has renewed its efforts to eliminate Public Question Period.
It is being done in such away as to make it appear I am the responsible - blame the victim.
To read more about click here.
- Sound clips are below -
In short the 1992 By-Law.# 272-92, has the common wording (below), from the beginning of the City - that a person may address City Council, during its Council meetings and NOT restricted to addressing items on the agenda. Donald Barber began in 1994 to represent community concerns to Council, often using Public Question Period, to effect positive change. Deputations 50. (1) Except as provided bylaw, a person not a Member of Council shall not be allowed to address Council except upon
approval of Council. ... (2) Notwithstanding the foregoing, Council may be addressed by a person, who on his own behalf or as a spokesman
for a delegation, desires to verbally present information on matters of fact or make a request of Council during the
Public Question Period. On 22nd day of October, 2003, the Acting Mayor, Councillor Pat Saito for Ward 9 (why not Hazel McCallion?), signed a new procedural By-Law that made a significant change to Mississauga's political heritage & traditions, without notice to the public. Was the public informed in 2003, that City Council planned to remove Mississauga’s unique Democratic tradition - Public Question Period - NO! Was there a specific debate about ending Public Question Period - NO! Did City Council by way of the manner in which Council meetings were held after approving the 2003 procedure By-Law.# 421-03, call attention to the elimination of the traditional unrestricted access for taxpayers to City Council, by way of Public Question Period, by only allowing matters on the agenda to be addressed - without asking the permission of Council first? NO. How can we say that Mississauga City Council held a proper and Democratic vote on this matter (one in which the public could see who embraced our Democratic values and who opposed them), if City politicians keep us in the dark and make discussions behind closed doors? At the June 7th, Council meeting the Mayor states they were changing the way Council meetings would be held but was there any public notice or discussion of the issue - NO! Decided in a backroom meeting, the Hazel McCallion is famous for. After all, no reason trouble Mississaugans with the details of how the Queen of Sprawl wishes to rule - taxpayers could want to become involved! In Mississauga - Democracy is subject to change without notice. Wording from the 2003 By-Law.# 421-03 - 36. Council may grant permission to a person who is present and at Council and wishes to address Council on a matter on the Agenda. However, at the Apr. 26th 2006, City Council meeting, the Mayor was still announcing Public Question Period, not by calling out the fore-mentioned agenda item but by saying "Does anybody else wish to address Council on any other matter, would you please come forward." Further more, on the video tape for the Mar. 29, 2000, City Council meeting Councillor Nando Iannicca gets on his high horse telling everyone that I could not address Council on matters expect those on the Agenda. The Mayor explains that I have the right to do so and asks if any members of Council would want to put forward a motion to remove that right and no one did - not even Nando. He stormed off noting he was going to do more important things for his constituency than attend City Council. Councillor Nando Iannicca has always been the strongest critic of Mississauga’s unique Democratic tradition - Public Question Period and happiest to see it gone.
At the June 7th 2006, City Council meeting, the Mayor, Hazel McCallion, called out "Does anybody else wish to address an item on the agenda?"
This is how Public Question Period appeared on the Council Agenda for the June 7th, Council - 6. PUBLIC QUESTION PERIOD - simple and to the point. And next is how the official minutes record Roy and my address to Council - (b) Donald Barber - Donald Barber appeared before Council advising that he would like to address Council regarding an item that was not on the agenda. Mayor McCallion advised that she had been requested by Council to follow the City's procedural by-law which states that members of the public shall not address Council except with the permission of Council. Mr. Barber advised that it was customary in the past that a member of the public could address Council on any item whether or not it was on the agenda. He enquired if Council had changed it's procedural by-law without proper notification. The City Clerk clarified that recently the Mayor had been asked to follow the City's procedural by-law citing the section of the by-law that states that any person wishing to address Council on any matter shall submit a request to the Clerk at least six days prior to the meeting stating the nature of the business to be discussed. Councillor Iannicca added that this issue had occurred at Region of Peel Council, when a member of Mississauga Council had asked for a leave to speak on an item that was not on the agenda and was denied the request.
Mr. Barber asked Council to pass a motion to permit him to speak to the Sheard Property on Airport Road. Councillor Corbasson suggested that Mr. Barber place his request in writing to General Committee, asking the questions of staff that could be answered at that time.
Roy Willis who was in the audience, advised that he was in agreement with the process and that any future requests to appear before Council would be in writing to the Clerk within the required time frame. PR.04 - hardly what a persons should be arrested for and yet I was! The video tape of these events also shows that the City minutes misrepresents both mine and Roy's statements, no surprise there.
This is how Public Question Period appeared on the Council Agenda for the June 21th, Council - 6. PUBLIC QUESTION PERIOD (in accordance with Section 36 of the City of Mississauga Procedural By-law 421-03 - Council may grant permission to a person who is present and at Council and wishes to address Council on a matter on the Agenda. For any other matter, leave must be granted by Council to deal with a matter not on the agenda). Yes, the underlining is theirs. Is it just me or is it noting a very big change and NOT business as usual.
But was surprising was how far Hazel McCallion supporters were willing to go to help cover-up the Mayor’s actions in an election year. Rogers or Cable 10,was contacted for a copy of the June 7th City Council meeting that they broadcasted live and the copy provided - twice - was EDITED! Oh, by the way Jake Dheer the station manager was recently declared Mississauga citizen of the year, wonder if that plays into this some how? The Cable 10 - Rogers - DVD has been edited and a 2 second black screen can be clearly seen, where 24 seconds have been removed. The part that has been removed is about 3:14 into the DVD and deals with the Mayor joking while saying, she's been doing it wrong for past 30 years, because just this part was removed, that really just a person who was concerned about the technical - legal part of this event, it was no mere accident!
M = Mayor D = Don B.
M - Where it can be debated and staff has an opportunity to investigate it.
(cuts out for 2 seconds) - What was removed;
M - Otherwise, it come here and we send it to general committee.
D - When, When have you formally changed these procedures?
M - It has always been the procedure. No change.
D - No.
M - I just have not been following the procedure, being far more
D - For the last 10 years?
M - liberal with it. Yes, that is right.
D - For the last 10 years.
M - For last 30 years. (smiling, turning in Councillor Nando Iannicca direction & joking as for Hazel, it is all just one big joke.)
D - For the last 30 years you have got it wrong.
M - Yep, yep, any ways, (Cuts back in 24 seconds removed) the item tha tha what do you wish to deal with and we will follow the procedure, what is the item?
On June 21, 2006, Mayor Hazel McCallion did a RANT from her soap box of Chair of City Council meetings claiming there had been no changes to Public Question Period when in fact by her own words there clearly has been. The recording proved by a candidate for Ward 1, Ursula Keuper-Bennett. Some small changes in the transcript have been made, like the part where it sounds like Councillor Nando Iannicca is telling the Mayor what to say! This and other notes from City Council meetings can be found here.
MAYOR HAZEL McCALLION (June 21, 2006 Council Meeting) - Sound clip "Before we start the public part of the meeting, I'd like to explain a few things about the change in procedure at Council. Unfortunately, The Mississauga News didn't check to get the details which I think is unfortunate and again has misled the people, in regard to what was accomplished at Council in regard to the changing of our procedure. We have not eliminated Question Period. It has not been eliminated --I want to assure the people. Just that we're going to manage it much better, and that is that anybody wishes to raise a question, on an item on the agenda we welcome them to come forward and Council will hear, the question, and will answer the debate or debate it and we'll take whatever action, that Council sees fit to do. The person comes forward with an item NOT on the agenda, they have the right to come forward and say they have a question, and I will check as Mayor --or whoever's Chair will check, as to whether or not that question is in connection with an item on the agenda. And if it is not on the agenda then it requires a motion of this Council to hear the question and the details of the question. That's in accordance with the procedural by-law -- (Nando - always has been), and always HAS BEEN in accordance. We have not changed the procedural by-law at all. I just want to make that clear --Question Period has not been cut out and the criticism that Councillors have received is most unfair. And I think the public should be aware, of the TRUTH, of what they did, and not somebody's opinion of what they did. And I think this is very important because the publicly [unintelligible] about closed Council meetings etc and about Councillors operating behind closed doors. And I think this editorial, led people to believe that that's really -- that we had cut out the Public Question Period. It has not been cut out in any way."
The double talk is very clear - "in regard to what was accomplished at Council in regard to the changing of our procedure." - followed by - "We have not changed the procedural by-law at all." If that was true then why say there was a change & does it not sound like she is proud of what she has done? Why go on to try and justify the new way of Council meetings, to make sure that in this election year - "we'll take whatever action, that Council sees fit to do." by "going to manage it much better," so no one from the public will be allowed to address Council about political embarrassing issues again. Making Council safe from taxpayers, perfectly controlled, safety of morally corrupt Councillors.
The City of Mississauga incorporated in 1974. 1. - 1974 By-Law.# 103-74 - 18 pages. ENACTED and PASSED on Mar. 4, 1974, signed by Mayor Dobkin.
2. - 1974 By-Law.# 365-74 - 18 pages. ENACTED and PASSED on Aug. 12, 1974, signed by Mayor Dobkin.
3. - 1974 By-Law.# 533-74 - 18 pages. ENACTED and PASSED on Nov. 12, 1974, signed by Mayor Dobkin.
- Amended by By-Laws.# 625-75 - 293-77 - 236-78
Ron Searle was elected Mayor on Dec. 6, 1976 & lost the Nov. 13, 1978, election.
He says he started the practice of Public Question Period early in his term as Mayor.
4. - 1978 By-Law.# 236-78 - 21 pages ENACTED and PASSED on May 8, 1978, signed by Mayor Ron Searle.
- Amended by By-Laws.# 459-78 - 42-79 - 60-79 - 233-79 - 290-79 - 1-80 - 178-80 - 91-81 - 37-82 - 41-83 - 75-83 - 831-84 ( 12 Amendments )
5. - 1986 By-Law.# 311-86 - 18 pages ENACTED and PASSED on Apr. 14, 1986 signed by Mayor Hazel McCallion.
- Has an Index, 9 pages.
- Amended by By-Laws.# 1285-86 - 53-88 - 259-88 - 754-89
6. - 1990 By-Law.# 391-90 - 11 pages ENACTED and PASSED on Jun, 25, 1990 signed by Mayor Hazel McCallion.
- Has an Index.
- Amended by By-Laws.# 550-90 7. - 1992 By-Law.# 3-92 - 12 pages ENACTED and PASSED on Jan. 13, 1992, signed by Mayor Hazel McCallion.
- Has an Index, 4 pages.
8. - 1992 By-Law.# 272-92 - 12 pages. ENACTED and PASSED on Jun. 10, 1992, signed by Mayor Hazel McCallion.
- Amended by By-Laws.# 53-95
9. - 2003 By-Law.# 421-03 - 19 pages. ENACTED and PASSED on Oct. 22, 2003, signed by Acting Mayor Pat Saito.
- The same one posted on the City's Internet site.
Presence & Wording of Public Question Period;
The wording is the same for By-Laws; (1)- 103-74 (2)- 365-74 (3)- 533-74 Changed in By-Law (4)- 236-78 - Ron Searle's changes. The wording is much the same for By-Laws; (5)- 311-86 (6)- 391-90 (7)- 3-92 (8)- 272-92 A Big change in wording for (9)- 421-03 - not signed by Hazel McCallion.
The wording in By-Laws.# (1)- 103-74 (2)- 365-74 (3)- 533-74 Page - 6 - AGENDA 26. The Clerk shall have prepared and printed for the use of the Members at the regular meetings of Council an agenda under the following headings: 1. Prayer
2. Formal Roll Call
3. Minutes of the previous meeting
4. Deputations
5. Public question period
6. Correspondence
7. Reports of Municipal Officers - 7 - 26. Cont'd. 8. Reports of Committees
9. Petitions
10. Unfinished Business
11. By-laws
12. Motions
13. New Business DEPUTATIONS Persons desiring to verbally present information on matters of fact or make a request of Council, may be heard on leave of Council but shall be limited to one speaker who shall speak not more than ten minutes, except that a deputation consisting of more than five persons, shall be limited to two speakers, each limited to speaking not more than ten minutes.
4. - 1978 By-Law.# 236-78 page - 9 - Ron Searle was elected Mayor on Dec. 6, 1976 & lost the Nov. 13, 1978, election. He says he started the practice of Public Question Period early in his term as Mayor. This By-Law was signed by Mayor Ron Searle on May 8, 1978. AGENDA Format of agenda 27. The Clerk shall have prepared and printed for the use of the Members at the regular meetings of Council an agenda under the following headings: a. Prayer
b. Minutes of the previous meetings
c. Deputations and Public Question Period
d. Correspondence
e. Reports of Municipal Officers
f. Reports of Committees
g. Petitions
h. Unfinished Business
i. Motions
j. By-laws
k. Enquiries
l. New Business
m. Notices of Motion
n. Adjournment ... Page - 10 - DEPUTATIONS AND PUBLIC QUESTION PERIOD 30. (a) Persons desiring to verbally present information on matters of fact or make a request of Council, may be heard on leave of
Council during this period. Deputants are requested to keep their presentation limited to ten minutes, except that a deputation consisting of
more than five persons, shall be limited to two speakers, each limited to speaking not more than ten minutes. (b) It being understood that time limitations may be extended upon leave of Council. The priority in which deputations are heard by Council
shall be in accordance with the following: (i) known and listed deputations arranged for prior to distribution of agenda, (ii) deputations who, subsequent to the preparation of the agenda, and prior to the commencement of a meeting, apply to the City Clerk to
be heard on a particular matter, ( iii) all other deputations who appear at a meeting without prior notice.
5. - 1986 By-Law.# 311-86 page - 11 - Proceedings 46. The Clerk shall have prepared and printed, for the use of members at the regular meetings of Council, an agenda under the following headings: 1. The Lord's Prayer
2. Minutes of the Previous Council Meetings
3. Proclamations
4. Presentations
5. Deputations
6. Public Question Period
7. Correspondence
8. Reports of Municipal Officers
9. Consideration of Committee Reports - Committee of the Whole page - 12 - 10. Unfinished Business
11. Petitions
12. Motions
13. By-laws
14. New Business
15. Enquiries
16. Notices of Motion
17. In Camera
18. Adjournment ... Deputations 48. (1) Except as provided by law, a person not a member of Council shall not be allowed to address Council except upon
approval of Council. Any person desiring to be heard by Council shall submit a request in writing to the Clerk prior to the
printing of the Agenda of the meeting at which said person desires to be heard. The written request shall state the nature of the
business to be discussed. Persons addressing Council shall confine their remarks to the stated business. Page - 13 - (2) Notwithstanding the foregoing, Council may be addressed by a person, who on his own behalf or as a spokesman for
a delegation, desires to verbally present information on matters of fact or make a request of Council during the
Public Question Period. (3) A person addressing Council may speak for not more than ten (10) minutes except with the permission of Council. A delegation
consisting of more than five (5) persons shall be limited to two (2) speakers, each limited to speaking for not more than ten (10)
minutes.
6. - 1990 By-Law.# 391-90 page - 7 - Proceedings 48. The Clerk shall have prepared and printed, for the use of members at the regular meetings of Council, an agenda under the following
headings: 1. The Lord's Prayer
2. Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest
3. Minutes of the Previous Council Meetings
4. Proclamations
5. Presentations
6. Deputations
7. Public Question Period
8. Correspondence
9. Reports of Municipal Officers
10. Consideration of Committee Reports by Committee of the Whole
11. Unfinished Business
12. Petitions
13. Motions
14. By-laws
15. Other Business
16. Enquiries
17. Notices of Motion
18. In Camera
19. Adjournment ... Deputations 50. (1) Except as provided by law, a person not a member of Council shall not be allowed to address Council except upon
approval of Council. Any person desiring to be heard by Council shall submit a request in writing to the Clerk prior to the
printing of the Agenda of the meeting at which said person desires to be. heard. The written request shall state the nature of the
business to be discussed. Persons addressing Council shall confine their remarks to the stated business. (2) Notwithstanding the foregoing, Council may be addressed by a person, who on his own behalf or as a spokesman
for a delegation, desires to verbally present information on matters of fact or make a request of Council during the
Public Question Period. (3) A person addressing Council may speak for not more than ten (10) minutes .. except with the permission of Council. A
delegation consisting of more than five (5) persons shall be limited to two (2) speakers, each limited to speaking for not more
than ten (10) minutes.
7. - 1992 By-Law.# 3-92 page - 8 - Proceedings 48. The Clerk shall have prepared and printed, for the use of Members at the regular meetings of Council, an agenda under the
following headings: 1. Call to Order (The Lord's Prayer)
2. Disclosures of (Direct or Indirect) Pecuniary Interest
3. Minutes of the Previous Council Meetings
4. Proclamations
5. Presentations
6. Deputations
7. Public Question Period
8. Correspondence
9. Corporate Reports
10. Committee Reports - Committee of the Whole
11. Unfinished Business
12. Petitions
13. Motions
14. By-laws
15. Other Business
16. Enquiries
17. Notices of Motion
18. In Camera
19. Adjournment ... Deputations 50. (1) Except as provided by law, a person not a Member of Council shall not be allowed to address Council except upon
approval of Council. Any person desiring to be heard by Council shall submit a request in writing to the Clerk prior to the
printing of the agenda of the meeting at which said person desires to be heard. The written request shall state the nature of the
business to be discussed. Persons addressing Council shall confine their remarks to the stated business. (2) Notwithstanding the foregoing, Council may be addressed by a person, who on his own behalf or as a spokesman for
a delegation, desires to verbally present information on matters of fact or make a request of Council during the
Public Question Period. (3) A person addressing Council may speak for not more than five (5) minutes except with the permission of Council. A delegation
consisting of more than five (5) persons shall be limited to two (2) speakers, each limited to speaking for not more than five (5)
minutes.
8. - 1992 By-Law.# 272-92 page - 7 - Order of Business 47. The business of the Council shall in all cases be taken up in the order in which it stands upon the agenda, unless otherwise
decided by the Council. Proceedings 48. The Clerk shall have prepared and printed, for the use of Members at the regular meetings of Council, an agenda under the
following headings: 1. Call to Order (The Lord's Prayer)
2. Disclosures of (Direct or Indirect) Pecuniary Interest
3. Minutes of the Previous Council Meetings
4. Proclamations
5. Presentations
6. Deputations
7. Public Question Period
8. Correspondence
9. Corporate Reports
10. Committee Reports - Committee of the Whole
11. Unfinished Business
12. Petitions
13. Motions Proceedings Cont'd... page 8 14. By-laws
15. Other Business
16. Enquiries
17. Notices of Motion
18. In Camera
19. Adjournment Deputations 50. (1) Except as provided bylaw, a person not a Member of Council shall not be allowed to address Council except upon
approval of Council. Any person desiring to be heard by Council shall submit a request in writing to the Clerk prior to the
printing of the agenda of the meeting at which said person desires to be heard. The written request shall state the nature of the
business to be discussed. Persons addressing Council shall confine their remarks to the stated business. (2) Notwithstanding the foregoing, Council may be addressed by a person, who on his own behalf or as a spokesman for
a delegation, desires to verbally present information on matters of fact or make a request of Council during the
Public Question Period.
9. - 2003 By-Law.# 421-03 page - 6 - PUBLIC AT COUNCIL AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS 24. Members of the public present in the Council Chamber shall maintain order and quiet and shall not address Council except with the permission
of Council. 29. Any person, not being a member of Council, who contravenes any provision of this section may be expelled from the Meeting by the Chair. ORDER OF BUSINESS 30. The Clerk will prepare an Agenda for regular meetings of Council and the business of Council shall be taken up in the order in which it appears on
the Agenda, under the following headings: (i) Call to Order;
(ii) Declarations of (Direct or Indirect) Pecuniary Interest;
(iii) Minutes of Previous Council Meetings;
(iv) Presentations;
(v) Deputations;
(vi) Public Question Period;
(vii) Introduction and Consideration of Corporate Reports Not Previously Introduced;
(viii) Presentation of Committee Reports;
(ix) Unfinished Business;
(x) Petitions;
(xi) Correspondence;
(xii) Motions;
(xiii) Introduction and Consideration of By-laws;
(xiv) Other Business;
(xv) Inquiries;
(xvi) Notices of Motion;
(xvii) Closed Session (if applicable);
(xviii) Confirmatory Bill;
(xix) Adjournment. 32. Notwithstanding the Order of Business set out in Section (1), Council may otherwise direct that business be considered in a different order. 34. Any person wishing to address Council on any matter shall submit a request to the Clerk at least six (6) days prior to the meeting at which the
person desires to be heard, stating the nature of the business to be discussed. 35. A person granted permission to address Council shall confine their remarks to the stated business. 36. Council may grant permission to a person who is present and at Council and wishes to address Council on a matter on the Agenda. ENACTED and PASSED this 22nd day of October, 2003. Signed by: Pat Saito, Acting Mayor and Crystal Greer, City Clerk
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