A Spectacle en Plein Air

I completely and emphatically disagree with anyone who promotes the Burlington Council's Food for Feedback event. First, it is a highly orchestrated but completely false example of true engagement. There is no way to collate the feedback received, no reporting back after the fact (except anecdotal support of proposed directions) and no forum to provide meaningful feedback to Council.  It is a ceremonial, expensive ‘outing’ for the Mayor complete with personalized signs, tent and souvenirs (kidding about the latter). At last year’s event, the then CAO, would not even deign to get off his throne, shake hands and enter into conversation. He sat and rudely played with his cell phone, even when introduced. It is yet another instance of the empty theatre in which this Mayor and this Council routinely “engage”. Stay away, let them all talk to themselves.  It's what they do best anyways.

When I was responsible for a program area within the I&IT function of the Ontario Government, I was required to hold a Town Hall twice a year. All staff were invited (except a small contingent who had to maintain the critical systems) and the agenda had to include an overview of government priorities, a view of how my program fit within or could promote these directions, a report back on progress made/challenges faced since the last meeting and, most importantly, an open and unrehearsed question and answer period. It was always ‘open mic’ and questions could be directed to myself or any of the senior staff. It was expected to be respectful, but it was not expected to be easy. There were no planted questions, no “softballs” and it was frequently challenging. It did not always go well – particularly when the directions of the current government were unclear or unpopular. But it was part of a mandatory engagement process and it was honest and, I believe, appreciated.

Why can’t the current Burlington Council hold such an event at least once a year; an open Town Hall where direct questions from the floor are asked of specific individuals then opened to the panel. It requires skilled moderation but there are those with the skills in abundance. It requires a willingness by Council to risk embarrassment or exposure but isn’t that part of the role they play. It requires a genuine interest in the concerns and opinions of Burlington’s citizens.  It should be held at night to permit maximum attendance in as large a venue as possible – and no freebies except for the program.  It has been seven years since Meed Ward was elected Mayor on a populist wave of dissatisfaction with the ‘status quo’. Many Promises of openness and true engagement were made and, in my opinion, never kept. What we have experienced for almost two terms of office are carefully prepared performances where form over substance, rhetoric over communication and personality over policy prevail. It is time that we stopped accepting and enabling the farce.