In the wake of North Bay’s inclusion as an honourable mention on a list of the nation’s most secretive governments, citizen Kevin Ferris is feeling somewhat vindicated — not that he believes it will change anything.
“We need a whistleblower. Obtaining information shouldn’t be anywhere near this hard. It’s a constant pattern of obstruction by the city,” said Ferris.
City of North Bay CAO David Euler presents a different take.
“Our staff interacts with the public daily, and, through the course of each year, respond to thousands of requests and inquiries. It is our aim to respond to all individuals in a consistent, fair and reasonable manner. As a result, the vast majority of staff interactions with the public are positive.”
Ferris said he is no stranger to jumping through bureaucratic hoops to obtain information. When asked if the notoriety from the Code of Silence mention is a game-changer as far as access to information goes he responded, “I don’t think this attention will change a thing. Their loss of the FOI fight to keep Knox’s contract out of the public eye hasn’t changed how they’ve fought Mr. Rennick. It’s the ingrained way they do business.”
As first reported in BayToday, Don Rennick’s inquiries into City of North Bay business have been consistently rebuffed and Euler responded to a recent email advising Rennick to file Freedom of Information requests instead of calling.
In correspondence, Euler wrote, “Unfortunately, there are times when nothing further can reasonably be done to assist or to rectify a real or perceived problem. In managing these difficult situations, we may, on very rare occasions, be required to take steps to protect our employees and to ensure municipal resources are used effectively and efficiently.”
Euler added, “There are certain types of records that must be officially requested, but this does not mean the public can’t have access. It means a more formal process is required, involving a Freedom of Information (FOI) request under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. This is not intended as a barrier to public access. It is a law that applies to all local government organizations.”
For more on the City of North Bay’s FOI policy, click here.
Ferris claimed in his FOI cases, the City arbitrarily narrowed the scope of the search for documents and only came up with one document. The Privacy Commissioner ordered them to do a new search, along with sworn affidavits to certify a proper search was conducted and lo and behold, several more documents were found.”
According to Euler, the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act “balances the public’s right of access to municipal records with each individual’s right to privacy. It sets out that, while information should be made available to the public, there are also certain types of records such as those containing personal privacy of others and lawyer-client privilege, etc., that must be protected. Organizations that breach the Act can be subject to stiff penalties.”
The CAO’s stance on openness and transparency is they “are important issues that the Corporation of the City of North Bay takes seriously and that are considered in every decision at every level within the organization.”
“Information is routinely made available to the public and is posted to the City’s website, including bylaws, agendas and minutes, staff reports, budgets, financial statements and corporate plans and policies. Public meetings are advertised in advance, live-streamed and televised. In addition, members of council and senior staff regularly make themselves available to the media.”
Despite these assurances from the highest level of City Hall, Ferris hopes for the best but fears the worst. “It fits a pattern of obstruction that many of us have faced. It all starts with the people at the top and filters down. The first step is admitting you have a problem and this administration refuses to do so.”
