There is no 鈥済ag order鈥 on city councillors, Mayor Tom Dyas says, after getting into another dust-up with former political ally Coun. Ron Cannan.听
Councillors are free to speak their mind on issues provided they follow some basic procedural rules, Dyas said at the end of Mondaysa国际传媒 meeting.听
鈥淭here is not and never has been, or been suggested, with regards to a gag order,鈥 Dyas said.听
Reading from a prepared statement, Dyas said he respected and welcomed councillors stating their views on various topics.听
鈥淐ouncillors are free, and I say this openly, are free to share their opinions with the media. Thatsa国际传媒 democracy,鈥 he said. 鈥淎nd the media, rightfully, are interested in what elected officials have to say.鈥
But regarding 鈥渙fficial city business鈥, Dyas said he as the mayor is the primary spokesman, to ensure 鈥渃onsistency, accuracy and accountability鈥.听
鈥淟et me be clear. I am not anyonesa国际传媒 boss, and I am not your boss,鈥 he said, addressing councillors. 鈥淚 am not telling councillors what they can and what they cannot say.鈥
But councillors should debate issues first at the council meetings, which he said would ensure they have all the facts and legal clarity, before making public comments. 鈥淭hat isn鈥檛 about limiting anyonesa国际传媒 voice. Itsa国际传媒 about protecting the integrity of our decisions, respecting our staff, and maintaining the publicsa国际传媒 trust and respecting the community that we live in,鈥 he said.听
Dyas was upset last month when Cannan proposed a notion of motion that the city should adopt a 鈥楥anadian-First鈥 approach in its buying strategies (see related story inside) and was going to give an interview to Global Okanagan on his idea before the idea was debated at council.听
Cannan cancelled the interview, saying he鈥檇 been instructed to do so by Dyas. Dyas seemed to believe Cannan was grandstanding, particularly in light of the fact the council had already heard from staff that 99 per cent of city business was done with Canadian companies and that trade agreements limited the city's ability to move to a Canadian-only buying policy.听
Dyas also said comments made by other councillors had been 鈥渋ncomplete, inaccurate, or made before staff had the opportunity to review them for legal or procedural accuracy鈥. He cited in particular a suggestion from Coun. Mohini Singh that the city should choose from only among Canadian artists for a new public art project, when in fact all five finalists who鈥檇 already been chosen were Canadians.听
During the last item on the agenda, which is given over to councillor comments, Cannan responded to Dyas鈥 comments.听Cannan said he鈥檇 felt bullied by Dyas听
鈥淵ou have to accept the fact that theresa国际传媒 nine of us around the table and sometimes we have a difference of position,鈥 Cannan told Dyas. 鈥淵ou did shut me down and I have the email right in front of me.鈥
Cannan said there was nothing at all unusual or inappropriate about him agreeing to a media interview about a notice of motion he planned to bring to the next council meeting. 鈥淎 notice of motion does not make you the spokesperson for council,鈥 Cannan told Dyas.听听
鈥淭o me, it felt like you were bullying me, telling me I don鈥檛 understand the policy, when it was you, Your Worship, who made the mistake. So I鈥檒l accept an apology from you,鈥 Cannan said.听
Dyas responded: 鈥淚鈥檓 not going to address that.鈥
