City hall's secret forum
April 23, 2009
Toronto city councillors are planning a full and frank discussion of the city's economic future today – behind closed doors. Councillors are apparently of the opinion that an open meeting would reduce the session's value. What nonsense.
Such secrecy is entirely unwarranted given both the list of speakers – familiar experts like Anne Golden, chief executive of the Conference Board of Canada, and Jayson Myers, head of the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters – and Toronto's ostensible commitment to open government. Indeed, a closed session of this sort, where no confidential matters are to be discussed, would be illegal except for a clause in the City of Toronto Act that allows the public to be barred from meetings meant to "educate" councillors.
Councillor Kyle Rae, chair of the economic development committee, says the press and public are being kept out so that councillors will concentrate on the issues at hand instead of "playing to the audience."
That is a sad indictment of council.
Toronto city councillors are planning a full and frank discussion of the city's economic future today – behind closed doors. Councillors are apparently of the opinion that an open meeting would reduce the session's value. What nonsense.
Such secrecy is entirely unwarranted given both the list of speakers – familiar experts like Anne Golden, chief executive of the Conference Board of Canada, and Jayson Myers, head of the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters – and Toronto's ostensible commitment to open government. Indeed, a closed session of this sort, where no confidential matters are to be discussed, would be illegal except for a clause in the City of Toronto Act that allows the public to be barred from meetings meant to "educate" councillors.
Councillor Kyle Rae, chair of the economic development committee, says the press and public are being kept out so that councillors will concentrate on the issues at hand instead of "playing to the audience."
That is a sad indictment of council.
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