Item - 2012.GM10.1
Tracking Status
- This item was considered by Government Management Committee on January 30, 2012 and was adopted with amendments.
GM10.1 - Presentation - Improving Local Democracy - A Recipe for Change
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Amended
- Wards:
- All
Committee Decision
The Government Management Committee:
1. Requested the City Clerk to report to the Government Management Committee, as soon as possible, on the feasibility of creating a process to involve City Councillors and Stakeholders to update the City of Toronto's procedural by-law including:
a. Establishing a minimum deputation duration which cannot be waived.
b. Holding more evening sessions of committees, including evening Community Council meetings to encourage a heightened community attendance.
c. Establishing an increase in timed items on committee agenda items to make deputants attendance easier.
d. New regulations to restrict the introduction of motions without notice.
2. Received the presentation by Dave Meslin and expressed its appreciation for his hard work.
Decision Advice and Other Information
Dave Meslin made a presentation on Improving Local Democracy - A Recipe for Change.
Origin
Summary
Dave Meslin is a Toronto-based writer, researcher, community organizer and trainer.
With one foot planted firmly in the world of mainstream politics and the other foot dancing in the more vibrant universe of grassroots activism, Meslin has found positive ways to bring them both together and turn energy into action.
In 1994 Meslin quit university to start his own silkscreen printing business and remained an entrepreneur for the next twenty years, slowly shifting from T-shirts to politics. Meslin was chosen as one of the Top Ten Activists of the year by NOW Magazine in 2000 and one of “Twelve People to Watch” by the Toronto Star in 2012.
In 2010, Meslin delivered a TED talk entitled “The Antidote to Apathy”, exploring systemic obstacles to citizen participation. Later that same year, Meslin Co-edited a book called “Local Motion: The Art of Civic Engagement in Toronto” published by Coach House Press.
For the last five years, Meslin has been exploring the topic of democratic renewal. In 2009 He founded the Better Ballots project which explored fourteen proposals for local voting reform. In 2010 he created the Toronto Ranked Ballot Initiative (RaBIT), advocating for local runoff elections. Most recently, in 2012, Meslin curated a political exhibit called the “The Fourth Wall”, which explores 36 recommendations to improve our local democracy.
Meslin speaks about democracy and civic engagement across North America, including recent keynote speeches for the Alberta School Board Association, Saskatchewan Economic Development Association, British Columbia Agricultural Council, and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario.
No Material Available.
Communications
(January 30, 2012) Letter from Miguel Avila (GM.New.GM10.1.2)
(January 30, 2012) Submission from June Macdonald, Fair Vote Canada (GM.New.GM10.1.3)
Speakers
June Macdonald, Fair Vote Canada
Miguel Avila
Motions
That the City Clerk report to the Government Management Committee on the feasibility of creating a process to involve City Councillors and Stakeholders to update the City of Toronto's procedural by-law including:
a. Establishing a minimum deputation duration which cannot be waived.
b. Holding more evening sessions of committees, including evening Community Council meetings to encourage a heightened community attendance.
c. Establishing an increase in timed items on committee agenda items to make deputants attendance easier.
d. New regulations to restrict the introduction of motions without notice.