Increase Transparency

Too Many Closed Sessions – Discussions impacting Calgarians, like the arena deal and Greenline, are too often made in closed sessions with no public oversight.

I’ll Demand More Transparency – Private Council meetings should be reserved only for extreme circumstances requiring confidentiality. Enough with the secrecy and protection of reputations. The public has a right to oversee their elected officials debate on important issues.

Too often we are seeing discussions that impact Calgarians made ‘in camera’ or in ‘closed session’. Massive projects like the arena deal and the Greenline along with their massive price tags should be discussed in the public realm as much as possible. It seems like every time there is a matter that is inconvenient for Administration or for some on City Council, we are opting for a closed session.

 Private Council meetings should be reserved for ONLY the most extreme circumstances where confidentiality is required to protect the City from liability. We have become far too liberal with our use of these closed meetings, and I will advocate for us to improve transparency by keeping these closed meetings to a minimum.