FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESS RELEASE: Funding Announcement Makes Clear Transit Not a Priority for Sutcliffe, Says Horizon Ottawa
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESS RELEASE: Horizon Ottawa Condemns Police Board for Passing Controversial Bylaw Changes
OTTAWA - Horizon Ottawa is condemning the adoption of controversial new bylaws that will lead to an erosion of public trust and weaker public accountability and participation when it comes to the Ottawa Police Services Board.
The Board passed an amended version of the controversial motion today to update the bylaws.
The amended version keeps the time for delegations at 4PM. Despite that small "improvement" the bylaws still enact changes that limit participation such as: seeing frequent delegates face a greater barrier to participation, forcing delegates to send in their full comments beforehand, limiting the full time for delegates to just one hour and limiting speaking time in some cases to just three minutes.
In contrast, other Boards and Committees at Ottawa City Hall have no time limit for delegations nor do they present rules to block those who delegate more frequently.
"It is shameful to see this Board go to such lengths to limit the impact of the public participation," said Sam Hersh, a Board Member of Horizon Ottawa. "We are in a time of crisis when it comes to police accountability, this change tonight exacerbates it and causes a further erosion of confidence in our public institutions."
There were also suggestions from members of the Police Board to re-evaluate the new bylaws in the coming months and possibly even enacting stricter ones. One member, Cathy Curry, for example, suggested enacting a bylaw that would see residents only allowed to delegate at the Police Services Board only once a year.
"It is clear that the majority of the Board does not think that consulting with the public is important and would even go as far to say they believe that it is detrimental." Said Hersh. "Residents were promised more accountability after the convoy but since then things have continued to get worse. We need a civilian oversight board that works for civilians - not the police."
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For Media Inquiries:
Sam Hersh
613-663-7018
[email protected]
