TRANSPARENCY still MURKY at Stratford City Council
Why is this word “TRANSPARENCY” brought up election after election?
Could it be that we don't have it yet?
Government transparency is the public right to see how elected leaders make decisions, manage programs, and spend taxpayer money.
Example: Do you recall seeing a publicly funded documentary about homelessness that showed the homeless speaking out themselves? No?
Well, that is because of blatant censorship by city hall, which Council incumbents have supported. It has never been released to date.
Rob Wreford, a former radio announcer, put out a video that explains it all.
Link: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1221128619880419
We still have a pretty secretive local government today. I often see the city-appointed Integrity Commissioner slapping Council's wrist for not abiding by transparency requirements, and doing things in closed meetings they should not be doing.
For another example, remember this?
“The Stratford City Council won the 2021 Code of Silence Award for Outstanding Achievement in Government Secrecy in the municipal category, naming them Canada's most secretive local government”
The Code of Silence Award for Outstanding Achievement in Government Secrecy is awarded annually to call public attention to governments, government departments and agencies that distinguish themselves by denying public access to government information to which the public has a right under access-to-information legislation.
Why They Won:
* Xinyi Glass Controversy: The council held secret in-camera meetings and skirted basic transparency rules for over two years regarding a proposed $400 million glass factory. Citizens protested persistently over a chilly winter about this fiasco in the making no one wanted (and won).
* Hidden Planning: Officials failed to properly report discussions and land arrangements tied to the project with Xinyi Canada Glass. (secret deals)
The Organizers: The award is given out by democracy and journalism advocacy groups, including the Centre for Free Expression.
