Record of attendance at council meetings

In a media advisory today Our Ottawa, an all-volunteer group made up of members of community associations, advocacy groups, advisory committees and communities across the city, released Ottawa City councillor’s voting record and absences for key votes over the past 3½ years in the lead up to the 2010 municipal election. The most absences record (52) goes to Councillor Thompson followed in second place, with 41 absences, by Councillor Chiarelli, in third place with 40 absences by Mayor O’Brien and in fourth place with 33 absences by Councillors Hume and Bédard.

I was particularly disappointed by my own ward representative’s (Peter Hume) attendance record. Councillors should be in attendance to represent the interests of ward residents, notwithstanding other roles and responsibilities they might undertake from time-to-time.

For further details visit the “Our Ottawa” website at www.ourottawa.ca.