This is a regular CATCH summary of votes at committee and council meetings. This report covers the month of August 2015. The first line of each entry identifies the issue, followed by a brief description. This is followed by the location of the vote. Multiple votes on the same issue are reported together. Absentees are only listed where reported in the minutes and where the missing councillors are members of that committee or decision-making body. Links are provided to source documents. Note that the vast majority of council decisions are unanimous and the votes are not officially recorded.
Changes to the city’s website mean it is no longer possible to provide direct links to motions and staff reports. Links are instead provided to the agenda where the documents can be accessed.
Pharmacare
A motion by Aidan Johnson that the city endorse a national Pharmacare program and urge municipal associations to do likewise was approved. An amendment by Ferguson that the program “focus on the requirements of those living below the poverty line and the uninsured” was defeated 3-9 before the original motion was approved.
At Board of Health, August 12 Minutes p5-7 (3-9) (12-0)
For the amendment: Ferguson, A Johnson, Partridge
Against: Collins, Conley, Farr, Jackson, B Johnson, Merulla, Pasuta, Pearson, Vanderbeek
Absent: Duvall, Eisenberger, Green, Whitehead
For the original motion: Collins, Conley, Farr, Ferguson, Jackson, A Johnson, B Johnson, Merulla, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson, Vanderbeek
Against: None
Absent: Duvall, Eisenberger, Green, Whitehead
Provincial infrastructure funds
Correspondence was received from MPP Randy Pettapiece requesting support for his private members bill to require “equal and transparent treatment on infrastructure funding” for all provincial ridings. It was endorsed by council
At City Council, August 14 Minutes p5
Recorded opposed: Ferguson
Councillor pay
A staff recommendation to end the tax-free status of one third of councillors’ pay and adjust the salaries to “maintain the net after tax remuneration” was approved by a 10-5 vote. The change increased annual costs by $434,245 and substantially improved future pension payments which will now be calculated on the full salary rather than the two-thirds which previously was taxable.
At City Council, August 14 Minutes p7 (10-5)
For: Collins, Conley, Duvall, Eisenberger, Farr, Jackson, A Johnson, Merulla, Pearson, Whitehead
Against: Ferguson, B Johnson, Partridge, Pasuta, Vanderbeek
Absent: Green