By Pepper Parr
February 13th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
OPINION
At the beginning of each Council meeting, there is a Roll Call to make sure there are enough members of Council present to meet the quorum requirement, and then the Agenda has to be approved. Items can be withdrawn or added.
We often hear a Chair ASK: “Is there anyone who has a hard stop”, by which they mean, does anyone have to leave early.
Members of Council know when meetings are scheduled.
Their job is to be in the room or take part virtually for every meeting.
Attendance exceptions should be very very rare. Your Mother’s funeral would qualify.
It is time for Council members to always be present. Simple, do your jobs.
This is what the public elected and this is what the public expects – every seat filled.
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This is well known, but anyways, it’s another thing killed by Covid – the virtual reality substitute need to go to City Hall for Councilors – the physical need to go for anyone really, but the elected folks always were expected to be there for the obvious reasons Pepper points out.
I remember the tables up front with Joan Little sitting, and guests and delegates could too. I always went, and that could be frequently. It was a good opportunity to meet Councilors, staff, planners, developers, lawyers, and citizens, in various and sorted development and City affairs. I met a lot of people.
Not needed anymore, and the City disdain for real engagement and citizen groups, opinions, and discontent does not encourage personal attendance. Zoom they like I think, and they don’t care. It lets then scroll away with no human presence really.
I don’t go personally anymore. I have got the message that they don’t care. One negative for me is that I have no talent at looking any good using Zoom images and light Oh well, no driving, no parking, no time blown..