Council motion pushes for in person presentations

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This article was published 06/06/2023 (1086 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A push to require some presentations be made in-person at Winnipeg city hall is triggering debate, with some arguing it would improve communication and others warning it could impede democratic access.

With COVID-19 no longer deemed a global health emergency, two city councillors are speaking in favour of a motion applicants for new developments be required to appear in person at East Kildonan-Transcona community committee public hearings for their projects, instead of remote appearances.

The motion offers an exemption should “unforeseen circumstances” prevent physical attendance.

“We’re there because they made an application with the city… Sometimes we have audio glitches and sometimes we have video glitches and if the applicant can’t be heard (that’s a problem). In other words, it’s in their best interest to be there,” said Coun. Russ Wyatt, who raised the motion.

The proposed change would mark a clear step away from council’s past decision to let all elected officials and public delegates connect by video or telephone to council and committee meetings.

Councillors require votes of approval from their council or committee colleagues to attend such meetings remotely, which are routinely approved.

Wyatt said councillors and city staff are now largely present at meetings, and developers have a vested interest in clearly explaining their projects, so they should be physically present to do so.

“I think it’s important to have people in a meeting in the room when you’re making important decisions for the future of a community,” said Wyatt.

The motion wouldn’t impose any changes on elected officials or other public delegates.

Wyatt said he was inspired to raise the motion after technical issues made it difficult for the committee to hear a recent presentation.

Coun. Jeff Browaty, who voted in favour of the motion at a recent community committee meeting, said it’s time to move as much city business as possible back in person, especially when it comes to developers.

“They’re proposing, typically… a change for (a) neighbourhood… Wherever possible, it is, I think better to have people there face-to-face,” he said.

Browaty clarified he would prefer to “strongly encourage” people to attend in person rather than require the change.

Lanny McInnes, managing director of the Urban Development Institute of Manitoba, said he’s open to discussing more in-person participation, but believes the City of Winnipeg should consult with industry before any changes.

“For the most part, our members do try to attend in person when they do have a hearing or an application before a community committee (of) council, but… (when) you need to do it virtually, it’s great to have that option,” said McInnes.

The fate of the motion itself isn’t clear, since multiple council members believe virtual participation should be open to all on a permanent basis.

“I think as a council and as a city organization, we should, for the sake of the public, make use of the technology that’s available to us to make it easier for people to participate in democratic processes,” said Mayor Scott Gillingham.

Coun. Sherri Rollins agreed.

“There’s no going back from the advantages that we saw on increased delegations and democracy from (virtual attendance) during COVID… We have a particular obligation to enhance democracy and (an) in-person (only requirement)… limits it,” said Rollins.

She said the city should consider more investments in technology to address any glitches that interfere with online access instead.

Coun. Matt Allard questioned the idea of removing the virtual option for developers.

“Why single out one particular group? I think, on a balance, having all the information there in a timely manner (remotely or physically presented) is better for all citizens of Winnipeg,” he said. “If anything, I’d like to see increases in ways that we can have remote participation in meetings.”

The motion is slated for debate at the June 12 executive policy committee meeting and would require full council approval.

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga