Changes at Victoria County council meeting cause confusion

Victoria County’s newly elected council has stirred up some confusion by making changes to the format of their meetings and indicating that they may no longer allow questions during public council sessions.

The decisions made at a recent council session on Monday have raised concerns about transparency, accountability, and inclusivity among at least three residents who reached out to the CBC to express their worries. Donna Matheson-Lefort, representing District 1, explained that the council opted to stop livestreaming the municipality’s committee of the whole meetings in order to facilitate more spontaneous discussions and debates. This decision was made to support the five new councillors who are still adapting to their roles after being elected in October.

According to Matheson-Lefort, livestreaming the meetings was causing technical difficulties that were hindering the flow of conversation. By moving these meetings offline, the council hopes to create a more relaxed and informal setting for discussions. Warden Jackie Organ mentioned that these informal meetings can be attended in person at the Baddeck courthouse.

Despite receiving criticism for this change, Organ assured residents that the council’s transparency remains intact, as meeting minutes are posted online. Some residents have complained about the delay in posting these minutes, as they must first be approved by council before being uploaded to the municipality’s website.

Organ defended the council’s decision, stating that they are trying out new formats to help the new councillors feel comfortable in their roles. She urged concerned residents to reach out to their local councillor for further clarification.

In addition to the changes in livestreaming, the council also announced that they would no longer be accepting questions from the public during regular council sessions. This decision was made in an effort to streamline the question-and-answer process, following the example set by other municipalities.

Matheson-Lefort emphasized that discussions regarding this new policy are ongoing, and no final decisions have been made yet. Despite the changes, residents can still view the council sessions on YouTube for updates and information.

Overall, Victoria County’s council is in a period of transition as they navigate these changes and strive to find a balance between efficiency and transparency in their operations.Residents are encouraged to stay engaged with their local councillor and provide feedback on these adjustments as the council continues to evolve.