By Laurie Watt 

Barrie broke the leash that prevented the mayor or any member of council from meeting alone with federal or provincial politicians.

In a surprise move this week, council passed a motion that cancelled 07-A-044, a motion passed about a year ago. At that time, during a public meeting of council, some councillors were worried about the mayor meeting alone with officials from other levels of government.

Coun. Lynn Strachan recalls several issues of concern during those discussions, including the GO train, boundary negotiations and intergovernmental affairs in general.

This week, the mayor urged councillors to drop last year’s motion, saying, “One has to remember no matter who meets – it could be Coun. (Barry) Ward – not any member of council, the mayor or a councillor, can commit or bind the corporation to anything.

“It’s like a ball and chain, not only for me, but to others around here. It is not simplifying the process.”

Members of the city’s Barrie-Innisfil Negotiating (BIN) team – Barry Ward, plus Ward 1 Coun. Mike Ramsay and Ward 7’s John Brassard – supported the move to drop the policy. Ramsay confirmed the city is at risk of losing out on an upcoming key meeting, because the province has said city staff are not welcome in certain meetings.

Ward 5’s Lynn Strachan said dropping the policy reduces transparency. “All levels of government are supposed to be open and transparent. Why is it that there are others in other levels of government wanting to meet and only with our mayor or one member of council? Why wouldn’t they want more transparency?”

Ward 9’s Andrew Prince said the move goes against sound business practice.

“We are a $300-million corporation and any corporation I know, the president and/or CEO hardly ever meet alone. A repeal on this resolution makes me uncomfortable,” said Prince.

“Council just gave Dave (Aspden) authority to act on behalf of the corporation – which was not the original intent,” he added.