Councillor Donna Cox was elected when council met in the afternoons and evenings. Then council changed their meeting times to during the day. Coun. Cox works full-time and voted against the change in time.
It could be argued that the change of time makes it impossible for those not retired to serve on council. Se also made it known to her fellow councillors that the change of time would make her participation in council difficult.
Is it fair that a council can change the time they meet to effectively remove a councillor they disagree with?
Is it fair for council to meet when no one who works can attend their meetings?
It certainly sends a message to a younger generation that you are not welcome here, don't bother to run. It also has serious implications for the transparency of government when the business of government is done in away that gives no voice to working residents.
Perhaps most concerning was Councillor Cox's statement to CTV News that ""I believe I'm being excluded because I'm a woman, and because I'm a professional working woman,"
Civic Connections will follow this story and provide updates. In the meantime, consider if your council procedures exclude participation from groups of people because of when or where they meet.
For now Coun Cox will be attending council meetings as only the courts
can remove a sitting councillor.
