Notice of Motion

Today was meant to be another discussion about the apparently abandoned “Notice of Motion” introduced by Councilor Belanger. Is this beating a dead issue? Perhaps, but our Council is fast becoming famous for doing as they please regardless of public opinion.

Public opinion is something I am recently getting a good line on. Before I get into the details of today’s discussion, allow me to elaborate on who is reading these discussions.

There is a group of those who support the current Council and they are engaged daily. Many of them have been prohibited from posting on the three groups I post in because of their toxic attacks. How do we know they are still reading? Simple, just go to almost any of the Social a media groups they administer and look at their content. Usually 12-48 hours after a post here, they are typically discussing our topics in their groups. It’s a shame they don’t provide links back here, so people can read the original posts. One of their “leaders” even created a copy-cat group three days after Wasaga Chronicle was created. lol… what do they say about imitation and flattery?
There is a very wide variety of people genuinely interested in the future of Wasaga Beach. They know that our Council shapes our future and they know our Council directly decides our taxes. These are truly a group considered “The Great Unwashed”. Some also use the word “The Silent Majority”. But why “silent”? Simple… just look at the attacks and threats those who decide to speak out have to endure. So, the majority of this group of people are quietly reading and taking all of this in. This group normally only get involved in politics every four years when they cast their ballot. I get messages from these people daily asking questions and expressing concern. But…. They choose to remain silent! We will hear from them again when an issue strikes a chord or in 2026 when they vote.
There is another group who are enraged and they cannot believe the obnoxious way our current Council is ignoring anyone who is “not” a supporter. Many of these people have experienced the same “communications cold shoulder” I have. If you ask a tough question where the answer may make Council look bad, then council members go silent.
My hope is that there is a fourth group and that is our younger generation who have NEVER been interested in or involved in politics. These people may not be interested normally, but the “great divide” in Wasaga Beach has raised the attention levels of those not previously engaged. Don’t underestimate the importance of this group. Our youth are our future! My hope is that some of those following these discussions will ask how politics is “supposed” to work and they may choose to get involved. One of THOSE young people will undoubtedly be our Mayor one day.

So, why talk again about what may seem to many as an unimportant issue? Well, it’s my opinion that our Council wants us to STOP talking about it. Councilor Belanger put forward a “notice of motion” asking all other members of Council to reconsider punishments he was subjected to after his breaches of the code of conduct during the last term of council.

In the various discussions that have happened here publicly, it seems that the proper way to deal with this should have been for it to be tabled at the next meeting. It was not. Now, my understanding is it should not just be ignored. Our Council has the duty to bring it to the table. Councilor Belanger could withdraw it “publicly” but he has not done that either.

I have written to staff and to Councilor Belanger and neither have given closure to this. So, what is the delay?

Does Councilor Belanger or someone else in power know he won’t get a seconder to his motion? Thus they may not want to embarrass him? Has Staff or Council sought legal opinion and realized even asking for what he has in his notice of motion is improper? Does it actually constitute a breach under conflict of interest legislation?

I am clearly an opponent to this Councils actions. I detest the circus atmosphere created by their chess moves. However, THIS issue is not personal. For me, it is one of the clearest examples of how “they” are willing to manipulate the system until they can find or create a palatable solution.

So… there are seven individual Council members who have known this is an issue for months now. It’s not like they don’t get a reminder once a month. The mayor reads out the notice of motion question monthly inviting these motions.

To date, NOT ONE member of Council has asked publicly at that time why the Belanger Notice of Motion has not been brought forward… NOT ONE!

I suspect If we forget it… it will simply be forgotten.

Has this been decided behind closed doors during an in camera session? Has it been resolved in small one on one meetings?

I have been accused of spreading misinformation by our Town. Which brings me to the 5th group of people I know are reading these. Council members and Senior Staff are monitoring these discussion posts. So, I suspect the issue will be dealt with eventually.

When that day comes, refer back to the comments following these discussions to measure whether YOU think this issue was dealt with properly and in a timely manner.

Open and Transparent governing should be demonstrated consistently by following established policy. It should NOT be about the optics created to cover mis-steps.

One Comment

alanclegg April 30, 2024 at 12:49 pm

I would note that since Belanger’s notice has somehow been “lost” he has since mysteriously been paid some nine thousand dollars in “backdates expenses”, coincidently the same amount as his fines for breaking integrity rules.
It appears councillor Belanger has been paid off to shut up about something that would definitely bring negative headlines to Wasaga Beach.
It appears this is the modus operandi of this council stuff tax money in the holes that could sink the boat.