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Pointe Claire suspends controversial bylaw

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Article online since April 10th 2009, 23:59
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Pointe Claire Mayor Bill McMurchie says a controversial bylaw amendment approved by council will be suspended. Chronicle, file photo.

Pointe Claire has suspended enacting a bylaw amendment that would have given council the power to curtail question period during monthly public meetings, or even fine speakers who are judged to be disturbing peace.

"Notwithstanding the fact that this bylaw amendment was approved, council has asked administration not to move ahead with their efforts, legal efforts which would in fact allow the bylaw to come into force," Mayor Bill McMurchie told The Chronicle.

Though the bylaw itself, PC-2712, has been in existence since early 2006, an amendment passed unanimously by council last Monday night would have given city hall the power to limit questions on the same subject to three people, and forbid members of the public from asking more than two questions. Fines ranging from $300 to $1,000 for a first infraction, and $500 to $2,000 for subsequent ones, would have also been possible in case anyone tried to record council meetings with cameras or other devices, brought display signs, used inappropriate language, interrupted the meeting with noise such as applause or laughter, or even referred to the mayor by anything other than his title.

The Chronicle broke the story about the bylaw's approval earlier this week.

McMurchie said there were no public complaints to his office about it, but added legitimate questions had been asked about the amendments during and after the meeting, prompting council to revise its stance.

However, he said, an altered version of the amendment would eventually be presented to the public at a council meeting again. "It's not at the corner of our desk, it's at the centre of our desk," he said.

He declined to comment on which aspects of the amendment would be revised, and said he was not sure whether or not a new version would appear next month. "It all depends on whether it's ready or not," he said.

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Your comments

Stella Haley

Comment online since April 21st 2009

Judgment comes from experience. Sometimes experience comes from poor judgment.
Pledged to act as represetatives of citizens elected councellors have failed to honor their mandate. It is absolutely appalling to witness the volatile and misguided manners demonstrated by elected officials in pointe Claire City Hall.
As most citizens remain distant from council meetings bullying and intimidtion form the basis of communication. As a woman who came very close to being a Pointe Claire elected councillor in 2005, and attempting to implement informed decision making within the city in regard to wood smoke health risks, my efforts were met with hostility. In 2008 I was ordered out of city hall for attepting to ask that council add one question to reflect the number of homes where wood heat is used. My question was not permitted to be asked. The mayor called security to have me escorted out when I attempted with all due respect to ask a question. With a survey on blue bins and with Mayor McMurchie in total denial with statements on CBC indicating that he is firmly opposed to Environment or Health research as indicators worthy of recognition we do face real problems with "Belif Policy". Myths and non scientific industry clearly frames the minds and mannners in the present
nontPointe Claire policy.
Canned a person with a child diagnoseed
with cancer I was insultd and intimidated in the presence of Mayor McMurchie. Told I had a "Mother Problem"
Councellor Geller as well as threatened McMurchie after that fateful council meeting the last one I attended in 2008.
I am ashamed of what has happened to democracy in the City of Pointe Claire. let us remember in 2009 election time that Mayor McMurchie was never elected by the people. He slipped in when former mayor, Knox retired.
Such dangerous abuses of freedom of expression that we see in the city of Pointe Claire council meetings pose a real threat to democracy. The air also poses a very real threwat. Mayor McMurchie stated on April 20 we have had only 8 smog days. He seems to be living in la-la land!

Point Claire elected officials have undermined our nation's health, environment and democratic values.
Change is in the air. Citizens unite! Clear the air and city hall as well!
Citizens who attend meetings number less than city councellors. I more people exercised their democratic right the abuses we witness at Pinte Claire City Hall would be replaced with integrity and accountability. Take a look at the spending! What a scandalous waste of tax payers money! Clear the air! Citizens must see what is going on and vote out these anti citizens councellors!
Stella Haley
www.citizenseh.com info@citizensfeh.com