By David Barker
January 31st, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
The following is a comment David Barker made on the Focus Burlington website; they have given us permission to reprint the opinion.
I understand Gary’s frustration with the way the delegation process works. But I would suggest unless the delegate can show that his/her position is supported by more than just himself/herself It is unlikely that Council will take much note of it. And why would it? Let’s say you get up and delegate a certain position on a matter and then I get up and delegate the complete opposite position. Who should they listen to? Who should they act upon? I suggest one needs to be able to show that one’s delegation is for and on behalf of a large and representative grouping. An exception to this might be when a delegation is made by a particular individual of repute, knowledge and expertise.
David Barker delegating at a City Council meeting.
Having said that, as I understand it, one can only delegate to council in regards to a matter on its agenda. If that is so I would suggest it is a little bit stupid. I believe a resident should be able to delegate to council on any matter at any time.
So I would suggest that a separate day or maybe two half days each month be set aside for delegations to be made to council in regard to any matter affecting the city. I suggest one would still have to register in advance the intention to delegate in order to allow Council and staff to manage time effectively.
This, in my opinion, would truly expand the democratic process.
The same issues that I have highlighted above will still exist.
But miracles might happen, and maybe a delegate will bring to council’s attention an issue and make a suggestion as to how to deal with the issue and a light will go on in each of the council members’ heads and they will take up that idea.
David Barker
One may make a delegation, but again the delegation is on behalf of the single person making it unless it can be shown otherwise.
People might say that residents can bring up any item they like through their ward Councillor. Theoretically, that is true. In practice, it is not. Ward Councillors act as filters.
Personally, I am not a fan of providing information about what I wish to delegate upon and give advance notice to council members. I think that allows them to turn off and not really listen to the delegation. I think they need to be taken by surprise so to speak. Maybe that would encourage more questioning from the council members.
So to reiterate my main suggestion is – let’s have a delegation day or days when anybody can make a delegation about any matter they wish to bring to council’s attention.
David Barker is a Burlington resident, a retired insurance executive. He lives in a historical home on Lakeshore Road for which he has been given grants to upgrade the home.
Discover more from Burlington Gazette - Local News, Politics, Community
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
A number of years ago I tried something similar myself. I even had a delegation written and submitted, but I asked the Clerk office if I could modify the talk with something that modified the agenda item topic somewhat. The Clerk told me that I had to speak only to the intention of the agenda and my delegation notes.
I was told that I had to read the submitted notes, and I could not just ad lib talk what I wanted to say. Former Mayor Mulkewich advised me that they could not tell me what I couldn’t say. I gave an appropriate delegation on agenda,to try and be helpful, but I said out loud what it was I really wanted to say.
My point is they don’t want you to stray in thought from the agenda, and can refuse your delegation notes if you do. That were the rules, and it looks like they still are.
It’s still an idea worth considering, but Davids, is far too demanding of who gets to speak. Who says you speak for numerous people? How could you ever say?
It needs much more thought to fly I say – who agrees with me? Do you David?
But we should try the Council to do it.
Good on David – he’s the unsinkable Molly Brown of bouncing optimism. However, I think that these new ideas and engagement concepts, no matter how well articulated or conceived, are only “throwing pearls before swine” with the current Council. We need to vet new candidates for office against them and evaluate their commitment and sincerity. However, I wouldn’t trust one member of the current “Group of Seven” to respond truthfully – they’ve clearly demonstrated what they believe with their actions over the past eight years. And these speak quite loudly, I find.
Unfortunately, this will never come to pass.
I always get the feeling that when residents delegate they are merely tolerated. We have learned that in many instances the decision has already been made before the council meeting.
There would have to be a major change in council before this would even be considered.
This idea is well thought out. We need the dialogue. It certainly is worth an experiment. Now we will see if the council really wants to talk to taxpayers.
I support Mr Barker in the above endeavour