There has been a lot of press commentary recently about the unimpressive performance of Ottawa City Council and the need for wholesale change. There is justification for this view; many councilors have been there too long. They are self-interested and self-serving career politicians. It’s a job, and many decisions (votes) are taken more in the interest of improving reelection prospects than for the greater good of the community they represent.
Observing individual member’s behavior at council and committee meetings is quite disturbing. Certain councilors, including the mayor, spend significant time away from the council table dealing with off-topic issues, or glad-handing visitors and constituents. In doing so, they fail to hear properly the views of other council members and thus are not well informed in debate. Their minds are likely already made up and they see no purpose in prolonged discussion.
This is clearly wrong; surely when council or committee is in session this overrides all other concerns? Procedural steps should be taken regarding behavior around the council/committee table.
Many people have commented on recent council actions and decision surrounding the transit strike and council wavering and indecision on other issues. Hopefully the public will bear this in mind in November 2010 when a new council is voted in. We all need to do our part to ensure that councilors running for reelection are held accountable for their actions. Hopefully, viable candidates from the community will come forward to challenge them. The time for action is now!
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