By Staff
October th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington Residents Action Group (BRAG) released the following statement:
“On Monday, October 7th, 2024 the Committee of the Whole is meeting. Item 8.1 on the agenda is:
Council composition and ward boundary review introductory presentation by consultant (CL-24-24)
“The agenda was made available late last week and included a 14-page report from Watson & Associates, a Mississauga-based consulting firm. This chart is from the report. The average population per council member column has been outlined.
Average population for Council members in each of the Regional municipalities in the Halton Region.
“The chart shows that residents in Burlington are underrepresented compared to other municipalities in Halton. However, when compared with Hamilton, Burlington residents are over represented.
“This is a complex issue. Each Burlington councillor has a full-time assistant to help with their workload, adding a layer between residents and elected representatives. Will adding more councillors remove the need for assistants or will costs increase? Councillors in Halton Hills, based on 2022 data, earned about half of what a councillor in Burlington earned.
“The chart above also shows that Burlington has the smallest number of councillors compared to other municipalities in Halton.
Smaller councils:
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- Limit the number of people contributing ideas.
- Make it more difficult for people to have meaningful dialogues with their councillors.
- Require only four people, a majority, to make decisions about the direction of the city.
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“Development is a major issue facing our city council. Are four votes sufficient to represent the diverse interests of the community?
“Currently, each Burlington councillor also serves as a regional councillor and the number of regional councillors will not change. If Burlington increases the number of councillors any new councillors would not have regional responsibilities or receive part of their salary from the region.
“Watson & Associates will present their report during the day on Monday. The first community engagement session is Monday night (7 pm Tansley Woods community room 1).
“The Burlington Residents’ Action Group is looking into this issue. At this point, all we can say is that we’ve seen the report. Like everyone else who lives in Burlington, and doesn’t work for the city, we have other commitments in our lives.
“Dropping a report on a Thursday and starting community engagement three or four days later is insufficient. Before providing input to the city, people need time to read the report, research the issue, and form conclusions.
“The report makes no recommendations for change, leaving residents without a starting point for a meaningful discussion with the city. This does not align with what was budgeted for in March, where the first step, for $60,000, included “recommendations for council composition” (CL-03-24).
Cost of the research done by consultants.
“This process is similar to the budget engagement sessions that wrap up on October 8th. There have been many “engagement” meetings but no detailed draft budget for residents to review.
“Burlington continues to engage with residents in a way that inhibits meaningful engagement. Something needs to change. Will having more council members help?”
Maybe we should split Burlington into two boundaries, the ones that endlessly spend on the left and those that don’t on the right.
I am interested in what BRAG’s position here will be. Strong Mayor powers and public engagement are some of their focus areas. We should all watch closely to see what they bring forward.
Paul Sharman is insistent that the value of Councillor Assistants must be considered as to the efficiencies they bring to resident representation. This is about elected representation and fairness in terms of ward boundaries. We do not elect community assistants and their allegiance is to the Councillor and the City who are their employers and can end their employment. Council heard clearly today from 3 delegations as they did from Counci.lor Kearns at the last COW that the public voice is severely missing at the Committee and Council table.
Not because they don’t speak but because they are ignored.
We were impressed with the presentation. However, it remains to be seen as to whether the consultant properly represents public opinion on this as we believe they are committing to do. This Council may not be here before or after Octover 26 .. Taxpayers will always be here.
The report clearly states, “ public consultation and engagement by consultant (phase 1)”. The “food for whatever” events are just that and are not to be taken seriously.
Interesting statistics. Perhaps it makes sense to compare Burlington to other cities of similar size and urbanization, particularly in the GTA? Also, I wonder how the compensation compares and are the Councillors considered full time positions or part time? Burlington City Councillors are different from some others in that they also sit on Regional Council. Given the close interconnections of region and city services provided, perhaps there are efficiencies here?
Well Jim, I missed that booth at food for feedback. Maybe you could enlighten us as to what was presented there?
I am confused, option 2 in report CL-03-24 indicates recommendations will be presented to the public before the public consultation begins. Were recommendations presented at food for feedback? Or has council already decided to follow option 1 in report CL-03-24 and simply redraw the boundaries? If option 1 is what is happening what is the public consultation on – where to draw the lines?