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Markham debates changing council meeting times to the morning

Yorkregion.com
Nov. 21, 2016
By Amanda Persico

The city’s council and committee meetings are getting a makeover.

Over the past few general committee meetings, Markham councillors have been debating how meetings are organized.

The debate will continue at the next general committee meeting, Nov. 28.

City staff have put forward a number of changes to the city’s procedural bylaw in the name of better clarity, plain language and more efficient meetings.

Some recommendations hit at the heart of democracy for some residents - changing evening council meeting times to first thing in the morning, limiting in-person delegations and prohibiting councillors from reading from emails.

“Democracy is messy at the best of times,” said Unionville resident Reid McAlpine.

He also noted changing council meeting times is an accessibility issue.

But Mayor Frank Scarpitti argued how residents share their opinions is changing.

“Now, we have more tools. Feedback is by the minute,” he said of social media. “Back then if you couldn’t make it in you had to write a letter and wait for a response.”

He also argued with video streaming options on the horizon, council and committee meetings would be even more accessible.

City staff proposed moving council meetings from 7 p.m. to 9:30 a.m., similar to Vaughan, Mississauga, Brampton and Toronto.

“We talk about open and transparency,” Regional Councillor Jim Jones said. “My boss is the people of Markham. Imagine if we had the arena debate in the afternoon.”

Proposed changes include: