Port Edward council took the first steps toward giving residents a chance to question their actions and decisions at public council meetings, but it is an idea that didn’t sit well with Mayor Dave MacDonald.
Amendments to the Port Edward Council Procedures Bylaw would allow for a five minute per person question period to be added to the regular agendas, but the mayor questioned the need for such an addition and what the content of it should be.
“I think the way we conduct business now is fine. If people have a question they can ask staff and if they are not satisfied with the answer they can submit a request by the Thursday prior to the meeting to request a delegation,” he said, adding any questions shouldn’t be about what was decided at the current meeting.
But Coun. Kristine McKenzie, one of three councillors who were in favour of moving the question period to the end of the agenda from the originally proposed placement following petitions and delegations, said people should be free to ask about the business of the district in a timely manner.
“If people have sat here and have a question about what they heard, they should be able to ask it,” she said, adding question period shouldn’t include what falls under the delegation heading.
Council gave first three readings to the amendment.
