The Jan. 17 Gibsons regular council meeting opened with a quiet protest. About dozen people wearing masks with “X” drawn across them held up signs protesting the council’s recent changes to public engagement strategy and then walked out.
Signs bore messages such as “Cancelled by council," “Inquiries? YES! We have questions," “The demos in democracy = the people.” Notably, the protesters took issue with the lack of public inquiries at council meetings.
“We’re concerned citizens who cannot ask questions in council anymore, and therefore they’re passing things without us even being able to comment,” organizer Judy Bonkoff told Coast Reporter after the demonstration.
In chambers, deputy mayor David Croal told the protesters, “We recognize your comment. There is an inquiry permissible with respect to one of the items that's on the agenda but there still is not a formal inquiry session at the beginning of this meeting.
“We note your presence, we note your comments and thank you for it. And as Mayor White has expressed, we are working towards a more formal method of community engagement that offers respect for everyone involved. And it would give you a better opportunity to be able to address some of the issues that are facing our community.”
In November, Gibsons council changed its procedures bylaw to remove an order of proceedings and with it public inquiries scheduled into every meeting. A general public inquiries section has not been included at a council meeting since.
