Debates are expected and arguments are not uncommon, but a tense standoff between a pair of city councillors on Thursday was the latest example of the deteriorating decorum during committee meetings. The Budget Committee was debating a motion by Coun. Susan Stevenson and Coun. Paul Van Meerbergen seeking more information about the costs to install and maintain future bike lanes. Coun. Skylar Franke explained that the information is readily available to councillors without requiring a formal motion and was recently considered when Council approved the Mobility Master Plan (MMP). “If we are looking for savings, we do see that there is a much more heavy burden (on taxpayers) from car infrastructure,” Franke argued. Van Meerbergen pushed back against Franke’s suggestion. “When you listen to some of the previous rhetoric trying to make the point that roads and cars cost more than bikes, you’ve really got to give your head a shake,” he said. “It borders on the nonsensical when you hear some of these arguments. We need a better road system.” Budget Chair Elizabeth Peloza halted Van Meerbergen after Franke objected. “Calling my comments nonsensical is offensive, and I would appreciate an apology,” asserted Franke. But Van Meerbergen would not apologize. “If you check the record, you’ll see that I stated ‘borders on the nonsensical’. I did not state the name of anybody, and I’ll leave it at that,” he countered. Franke again demanded an apology, “I do not engage in rhetoric. I share my feelings and opinions, and I do it without trying to offend anyone.” Van Meerbergen replied, “Like the other councilor, I too engage in rhetoric. She engages in rhetoric all the time, to make these equivalencies between the cycling system and the road system.” After several tense minutes, Franke decided the budget meeting was more important than pressing the issue with Van Meerbergen. “In the interest of saving time for this committee. I will retract my request for an apology,” she stated. “But I would hope that other members of council would see fit to choose their words wisely.” Shortly after the tense exchange, Stevenson lamented the deteriorating level of respect during debates. “The diversity of opinion and thought is not something that I’m finding is here enough, as much as I would like to see it” she told colleagues. Stevenson and Van Meerbergen’s motion was defeated (4-10). After the meeting, Peloza acknowledged the deteriorating decorum in council chambers and its impact on decision-making. “If you really want an efficient meeting, choose your words wisely,” she advised. “Some people perhaps prefer controversy, which might result in media coverage by several (news) outlets, which just leads to things being less efficient.” A year-and-a-half still remains in this council’s term. “When we share this space, the public is watching,” Peloza added. “It’s really important to hold ourselves to a (level) of decorum and professionalism that Londoners require of us.” The next meeting of the budget committee is June 11.
