By Lee Griffi, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
No one knows if the recent Ward 4 townhall meeting should be considered legitimate township business. What is certain is Saturday’s event created controversy among councillors.
Coun. Steven Martin asked fellow councillors Harvir Sidhu and Kris Wilkinson to leave Saturday’s townhall at the New Hamburg Community Centre. When they said they wouldn’t, Martin left instead, leaving Coun. Lillianne Dunstall to face an emotional crowd worried about the proposed 50-plus per-cent tax increase and other controversial issues. Coun. Stewart Cressman also attended but vacated the event, concerned about potential ramifications.
The Gazette reached out to Kaitlyn Bos, the township’s clerk, and was given the following explanation on what creates an official meeting of council:
“The Municipal Act, 2001, s. 238(1) defines ‘meeting’ as any regular, special or other meeting of a council, of a local board or of a committee of either of them, where:
A quorum of members is present, and
Members discuss or otherwise deal with any matter in a way that materially advances the business or decision-making of the council, local board, or committee.
The Ontario Ombudsman would investigate any complaint made about a meeting being held without proper notice, procedure etc.
To determine whether a discussion materially advances council business or decision-making, the ombudsman considers the extent to which the discussions moved forward the business of the municipality. Discussions, debates or decisions intended to lead to specific outcomes are likely to materially advance business or decision-making, whereas mere receipt or exchange of information is unlikely to do so.
Dunstall wasn’t convinced having five members of council present was an issue, but she also didn’t know for sure it wasn’t. She added there is a definite possibility a complaint will be made against Sidhu and Wilkinson with the township’s integrity commissioner and/or the ombudsman responsible for municipal affairs. Despite the uncertainty, she said the pair should have left.
“In what world would you not leave? If I came up to you and said, ‘Hey, there may be a problem with quorum and I can’t start the meeting if there is. Would you mind going home and watching the livestream?’ I would have said absolutely. Why would I mess with your meeting? It doesn’t make sense to me.”
She added her constituents were very upset because Martin was put in a position where he had to leave his own townhall. The event was also livestreamed on Dunstall’s Facebook page.
“I feel so bad for them. Right now, they think we are incompetent and with that display, it has gone through the entire town. People are asking why they would do this. What was the purpose? I would love to know. They weren’t going to ask any questions and they could hear all the questions from home, so why were they there when the person hosting the meeting asked them to leave privately at the back of the room.”
Dunstall added she is concerned Ward 4 residents weren’t able to hear from both her and Martin because of the disruption at the meeting, and residents don’t need any more reasons to doubt their municipal government.
“We already have an issue with confidence in this council. We have dealt with so many contentious issues and if you watched any of that meeting, you will see people are extremely angry.”
Every councillor hosted or will host a townhall meeting to allow residents to weigh in on the budget and other issues. The final event will be hosted by Ward 1 Coun. Stewart Cressman on Thursday, Jan. 9 from 7-9 p.m. at the New Dundee Community Centre. Dunstall said she would have liked Mayor Natasha Salonen to take more of a leadership role regarding the public meetings.
“I don’t know why, when this thing dropped, the mayor didn’t say to councillors let’s get together, get some dates out there. How do you guys want to deal with this rather than have each of us do something and I say something and other councillors say something else.”
Wilkinson told the Gazette he had no concern about potential Municipal Act violations.
“The short answer is no. We were not materially advancing the business of the township and not engaged in a council discussion.”
He added there was no reason for him and Sidhu to leave.
“First, I’m a citizen. Additionally, I was there in support of my family who live in New Hamburg as well as supporting my constituents who chose to attend.”
The Gazette asked Wilkinson if he felt a split was developing between some members of council, particularly after Saturday’s confrontation with Martin.
“My colleagues and I don’t always agree on policy and I wouldn’t want that. I think it’s natural and healthy in a democracy to have differing opinions. Ultimately, I have my constituent’s best interests at heart and I will work together with my colleagues to ensure we find agreement while discussing business in council.”
Wilmot Township staff have come under scrutiny as a result of the proposed budget and that issue was at the forefront on Saturday. Wilkinson said it is worrisome.
“I am concerned about the misinformation out in public right now. I have heard loud and clear that citizens are frustrated and tired of how things have been running. They want us focused on providing excellent service while also respecting their hard-earned tax dollars. I feel the exact same way and I am approaching this budget with cuts and changes in mind.”
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