Chair: Councillor H. Kreling
Vice Chair: Mr. G. Baskerville
Members: Mr. D. Adam, Ms. E. Buckingham, Regional Chair B. Chiarelli, Councillor J. Legendre, Mr. J. McCombie

Member Legendre noted a typographical error on page 24 of the 26 June 2000 Minutes and suggested that approval be subject to its correction.

- Executive Director’s report dated 18 Jul 00 & attached letter dated 18 Jul 00

Chair Kreling confirmed that all Board members received Mr. Black’s correspondence and accompanying attachments dated 18 Jul 00.

Mr. F. Black, a resident of the Village of Cumberland, believed that this issue requires attention due to the increased demands on municipal budgets and public outcry over rising taxes. He felt community policing programs could benefit from the participation of interested groups who want to see community policing taken to a more active level. He suggested that any funding source that can assist the community in furthering its relationship with the Police Service should be protected. He felt service clubs and community groups have to be able to make their donations and assist in any way they can. However, he stressed there is a very fine line between gifts and contracts. Any payment made with a stated objective constitutes a contractual exchange, whether it be in writing or verbal, as it represents remuneration for services rendered. Mr. Black maintained someone has to be responsible for making the ultimate decision on such exchanges and he suggested the Board set a defined policy to protect funding sources and provide clear and definitive guidelines.

Chair Kreling thanked Mr. Black for his comments noting they are reflective of the discussions held by the Board at its last meeting. He indicated the Board will be having a policy discussion on the matter in September. He acknowledged there are gifts which benefit the community at large and such exchanges should be treated respectfully and disclosed publicly.

Regional Chair Chiarelli expressed his appreciation for Mr. Black’s comments. He believed there is strong community support for the principle set out in the submission, which he thought was very well laid out. Regional Chair Chiarelli assured Mr. Black that his views would be taken into account.

Member Legendre also thanked Mr. Black for coming forward and taking an interest in this matter. He expressed his disfavour of getting anywhere close to private funding of a criminal investigation because he believed it calls into question the independence and objectivity of the police. He noted other police services are also struggling with this issue.

- presentation by Inspector S. O’Sullivan

Chief Bevan stated raves, which are a country-wide concern, have recently received a lot of media attention. He explained the purpose of the presentation is to inform the Board on what happens at raves and on the Service’s activities in that regard. He indicated staff are trying to develop a strategy to make raves as safe as possible for those who attend them. He also hoped to have a brief discussion with Board members after the presentation about what the next steps should be in dealing with the issue. He stated his intention is to bring forward recommendations aimed at regulating the activity, which he hoped the Board would endorse and forward to the new City Council.

Ms. L. Logue, Youth Liaison Coordinator, explained that raves are all-night dance parties where techno/industrial music is played at high volumes. Steady music pounds out at 200 beats per minute and at over 120 decibels. Raves often include laser light shows and lava lamps. In some cases, burning candles are placed on the floor for meditation and glow sticks are made available to maximize the state of ataxia, a blending of the senses that causes kids to "hear" colours and "see" the music. She indicated raves usually begin around 10:00 p.m. and end at 8:00 a.m.. They are often held in warehouses or "after-hours" dance clubs and are advertised as "alcohol free" even though alcohol consumption usually takes place outside the establishment. She stated rave advertising posters don’t provide locations, they simply give a phone number where people can call an hour or two before the start of the event to find out where it will take place or where to take a bus to get to the location.

PLUR is code for raves and is often used as an advertising feature; it stands for peace, love, unity and respect. Raves attract youths aged 12 to 15, however some adults attend the events. Pedophiles attend to prey on youths, and criminal gang members, pimps and prostitutes attend to recruit and/or solicit.

Marketing for raves is done mostly by word of mouth and by handing out pamphlets in areas where youth congregate such as malls, record shops, and popular clothing shops. Advertisements may claim to be associated with fundraising for a credible cause or charity but such claims have proven to be false. Posters and flyers indicate that disc jockeys come from around the world, which has also proven to be false.

Tickets are often sold at the door and usually range in price from $20 to $45. Some after hours bars shut off their water supplies and turn up the heat in order to increase the sale of water, which is sold for $5 to $10 per bottle. Since drugs cause dehydration, kids who don’t have money to buy water quickly become sick under these conditions. Emergency departments see increases in cases of dehydration and some other more serious problems when raves take place.

Dress attire at raves is funky, baggy, colourful, flashy, sparkly, and often include infantile gadgets attached to clothing or worn around the neck such as baby soothers and baby bottles.

Organizers may have chartered buses pick up youths at pre-designated locations. Shuttle services usually run through to the early morning hours and chartered buses frequently transport youths to raves outside the urban area. The buses have their windows "blacked-out" so kids don’t know where they are being taken and such buses don’t necessarily return so kids are left stranded in other regions, other provinces or in the United States.

Security personnel at raves usually only check for admission tickets. Proper identification is not required given that there is no alcohol being sold and youths of 16 years of age or less are often admitted despite the CFSA curfew. However, Ms. Logue noted some rave producers hire police officers to perform security duties at the events.

The drugs of choice at raves include MDMA (also known as Ecstasy) which is a synthetic Amphetamine / Hallucinogen and acts as a Central Nervous System stimulant. It costs $20 to $40 per pill or capsule. MDMA provokes a heightened sense of well-being and energy, and increases self-esteem and confidence. Its risks include hypothermia, tachycardia (a racing pulse), paranoia, anxiety, panic and kidney failure. Ms. Logue noted paramedics will no longer respond to calls without police back-up because of the prevalence and dangers of drug-induced paranoia.

Other drugs commonly used at raves include GHB, LSC, THC, and PCP, alcohol, psilocybin, ketamines, caffeine, ephedrine, pseudophedrine, and epedra (herbal ecstasy).

GHB, Gamma-Hydrozybutyric Acid, is known as the "smart drug". Until 1990, GHB was available in the United States and obtained from health food centres and gyms as a steroid substitute. It is used most often at raves and is added to drinks so kids can sip it slowly and make its effects last longer. It is an endogenous substance which affects the central nervous system and body tissues. It has anaesthetic properties and induces drowsiness and amnesia. Its effects can be felt within 20 minutes of ingestion. GHB can be circulated in the form of a powder or as a pink or light blue liquid. Doses vary from ¼ teaspoon to 4 tablespoons and a hit can consist of up to 7 or 8 grams for death simulation experiences.

The use of PCP causes light to intense euphoria, a distorted sense of time and space, detachment from one’s surroundings, an indefinite look, shifty eyes, a lack of coordination, sluggishness and slurred speech. Taken in large doses, PCP induces deep anxiety, paranoia and violent hostility. A user who is normally quiet and reserved can become extremely aggressive. It can produce drug induced psychosis and can lead to coma or death. PCP is an anaesthetic and is often sold as LSD or Mescaline.

Ketamine (or "Special K") is sold at street level in the form of powdery white crystals called GREEN. It is sometimes sprinkled on tobacco or marijuana though it can be taken orally. In its liquid form, it is sipped slowly. Ketamine has anaesthetic and perception altering properties and it is difficult to detect in the blood stream because it is quickly metabolized. It provides energy bursts for short periods of time and once fully ingested, it acts as a depressor causing psychedelic effects, relaxation, tension relief, reduced anxiety, euphoria, disorientation, confusion, nausea, dizziness and loss of balance and coordination. When taken in large or strong doses, the user experiences the apparition of visual images, illusions and hallucinations. Its effects can last up to 24 hours.

In closing, Ms. Logue indicated that in 1995, 13% of all Ontario students reported attending at least one rave in the last 12 months whereas in 1999, 19% (about 173,500) of Ontario’s students attended a rave at least once and of all student surveyed, 4% reported using Ecstasy. Rave attendance has significantly increased at the grade 7 level, from 7% in 1995 to 18% in 1999. More males attend raves than females. Of the students who reported going to raves, 16% reported using Ecstasy. Among Ecstasy users, 70% reported having attended a rave. Drug use is more prevalent among rave attendees when compared to non-attendees and the drug of choice for 57% of attendees is cannabis.

In response to questions from Vice Chair Baskerville about parental awareness and/or involvement, Ms. Logue indicated staff have been hosting monthly parent information sessions in various communities around the Region as well as developing information packages that can be sent out to parents who call in with concerns. In addition, staff meet with educators, front-line patrol officers, hospital personnel and community groups to make sure they have information or know how to access it when required.

In response to questions from Member McCombie with respect to the number of raves taking place in the Region and the tools currently available to regulate them, Ms. Logue indicated that although raves are occurring every weekend from spring through fall, staff do not know the exact number of raves that take place in the Region over the course of a year. She also noted that although a rave is advertised in Ottawa-Carleton, it may be taking place outside the OCRPS’ jurisdiction. She explained that because Bill 73 has not yet received final reading, the police are currently going into raves under the public hall license by-law and the fire marshall’s office is called in with respect to over crowding. However, she indicated a dilemma arises when kids are removed from raves because of over crowding and they don’t have a way home in the middle of the night.

Member McCombie wondered how staff are getting information about raves and whether officers are being dispatched to these locations. Ms. Logue explained the youth section tries to find out where raves are going to take place or to follow the bus to find out if its within OCRPS jurisdiction. If a rave takes place outside the Region, the OCRPS contact the police service responsible for the jurisdiction where the rave is taking place. She stated that when raves take place within the boundaries of Ottawa-Carleton, officers try to attend to investigate reports of missing kids.

Member McCombie surmised that a rave could take place within the Region without the Police Service’s knowledge and he inquired about any by-laws that might allow the police to shut down such events. Inspector S. O’Sullivan explained the Service usually receives calls about noise levels, kids gathering and being loud, or unusual traffic volumes when raves are taking place. Ms. Logue added, there needs to be a concerned effort within the Region from the major stakeholders involved i.e.: health, education, fire safety and licensing. Staff would like to see these parties come together to discuss the impacts of raves and the next steps in addressing the problems.

Chief Bevan indicated the need for a joint effort is one of the reasons staff wanted to make this presentation to the Board. He re-iterated that although these events can not be eliminated, all the stakeholders need to work together to ensure they are as safe as possible for youths to attend. He stressed the need to make sure that water is available at raves, that the temperature is regulated, that fire codes are respected, that proper identification is verified and that age regulations are enforced.

He noted a joint effort has been initiated with the public health department and will be expanded to include the fire department as soon as a Fire Chief is appointed for the new City of Ottawa. Staff are also carefully monitoring programs that are underway in other cities such as Calgary, Toronto and Edmonton. The Service will continue with its education programs throughout the summer. Staff will be contacting directors of education in the fall and have already had conversations with respect to making presentations in schools, to students and staff, to inform them about the rave culture and about what happens at raves. Chief Bevan indicated he wanted to take advantage of the media attendance at the meeting to get the message out to parents that raves are a concern. He noted the on-going media debate has thus far been lacking this kind of factual information. He maintained the police need to find ways of getting such messages out to the public and suggested the website could be used to that end. He re-iterated the need for a concerted effort to address the issue and indicated he hoped to come back to the Board in the fall with recommendations to that effect.

Member Buckingham believed the reality is that teenagers will experiment and nothing can be done to change that. She surmised that staff are looking at ways to minimize the risks as much as possible. She acknowledged the need to work with other stakeholders and indicated she looked forward to receiving a further report in the fall.

Ms. Logue stated the Youth Services Section, and law enforcement agencies in general, are not opposed to youths getting together and having a good time. However, she stressed that when kids as young as 9 to 12 years of age are being offered opportunities to attend raves where they are away from home overnight in unfamiliar territory, are encouraged to experiment with cigarettes, alcohol and drugs, and are exposed to such predators as pedophiles, pimps and organized crime gang members, there is reason for concern. She stressed the need to reach such kids and help them find safer ways of expressing themselves and having a good time.

Member Legendre thought the presentation implied that girls are at greater risk at raves and expressed his belief that both sexes are equally at risk. He noted the focus on drugs and argued that drugs are also available and used at rock concerts therefore, the bigger issue is the safety and suitability of the venues used for raves because buildings such as barns and warehouses are not designed for large groups of people. He hoped the report coming forward in the fall would address any laws that control the use of such venues as well as any approaches adopted by other jurisdictions to address the problem of raves.

Ms. Logue indicated staff have been discussing possible solutions with other agencies and though Ottawa-Carleton is at the forefront on this matter, the Service is working very closely with such cities as Calgary, New York, Detroit, Toronto and Montreal, to get as much information as possible to find the best possible solution. She re-iterated that the OCRPS has been collaborating with the public health department and initial discussions included rave producers.

In response to questions from Chair Kreling with respect to the prevalence of predators at raves and the youths’ reactions to being approached by OCRPS staff, Ms. Logue indicated she has been able to identify predators at every rave she has attended. She stated youths are very forthcoming with questions and information and she relies on them to page her and keep her informed.

In response to questions from Chair Kreling with respect to a multi-agency approach and the ability to regulate such events, Chief Bevan indicated the Police Service uses whatever tools are available. Currently, the OCRPS calls in the fire marshall. They count the number of people in a facility and only allow the appropriate number of persons back in. The Service would like to be able to conduct inspections to check for certifications and adherence to regulations so that they can deal with rave producers who raise temperatures, and restrict water supply and access to washrooms. He explained that all of these are issues that are not well covered by any of the various by-laws currently in place with the municipalities across the Region.

Chair Kreling wondered if staff were aware of the status of changes in Toronto, which he believed was moving towards a regulatory agency to review applications from promoters.

Chief Bevan indicated the report coming forward in the fall will try to select the best practices from other jurisdictions and staff are willing to work with any group willing to help make this a safer activity for Ottawa-Carleton youths.

Chair Kreling thanked staff for the presentation and for bringing the matter to the attention of the Board. He noted there has not previously been this level of information available and he felt it should become a matter for public debate because it affects the community’s youth and their safety.

- verbal report from Deputy Chief A. Mackie

Deputy Chief A. Mackie stated that though he, Vice Chair Baskerville and staff have met with the members of the Neighbourhood Alert Committee (NAC) since their presentation to the Board in May, all parties agreed that it would not be timely to provide a written update to the Board. He indicated he would be meeting with members of the NAC again on Thursday as a follow-up to their last meeting.

- A/Director General’s report dated 12 July 00

Member Buckingham wondered why staff selected Thursday, 7 December for the Board’s review of the budget. Ms. D. Frazer, Acting Director General, explained it was selected, in consultation with the Board’s Executive Director, as one possible date but it can be moved to a more convenient date if the Board so chooses. Member Buckingham suggested that an alternate date could be chosen when the time draws nearer.

In looking at the operating budget proposals and budget impact, Member Buckingham noted additions and increases. She assumed the impacts would be on an annual basis and wondered why the Service’s program requirements would increase by $300,000 per year on a yearly basis such that in 2003, the Service would require $900,000 more than it currently does.

Ms. Frazer explained that every year, staff try to forecast the types of issues the Service will be dealing with in future years. She noted that as the Service introduces new programs and service delivery models, budgetary requirements change accordingly. She indicated that as the Service rolls out more of the problem-oriented aspects of its new service delivery model, it might incur different kinds of expenses in such areas as: professional services, facilities and equipment. Staff identified the need to add some of those dollars to the budget because there may not necessarily be dollars that drop out of the budget to make room for them. She indicated staff have included $100,000 per year for Adequacy Standards in each of 2001, 2002 and 2003 to recognize that they are going to become much more of a budget issue as they are implemented.

Member Buckingham recalled that late last fall, staff tabled reports with the Board on potential cost savings. She noted the Board has directed staff, through its policy framework, to constantly be looking for more cost effective ways of doing business. She stated she saw nothing in this report that suggests cost savings. She believed the report represents an acceptance of today’s base level and she indicated she has difficulties with that.

Ms. Frazer clarified the purpose of presenting the budget pressures table was to respond to a request from the Transition Board for a report identifying the scope of the budget exercise for the next three years. She stressed, this is not intended as a target. It is simply to identify budgetary pressures. As part of its upcoming budget exercise, staff will more fully explore solutions to offset those pressures.

Member Buckingham wondered if the Board should set some general targets for staff to work within. She indicated she would be extremely disappointed if the budget tabled with the Board on 27 November showed a $7.4M increase.

Chair Kreling said he appreciated member Buckingham’s comments and confirmed the Board can provide direction to the Service. He recalled that for the past few years, Regional Council has set a budgetary envelope and the Police Service and Board have worked within those limits. However he was unaware of anything that might prevent the board from setting targets for staff.

Member Buckingham stated she wanted to see a budget with significantly less increase per year than $7.4M.

Vice Chair Baskerville felt member Buckingham raised some interesting points about looking at budgetary pressures however, he did not think the Board could arbitrarily pick a number as a target without knowing more details about the pressures the Service is facing. He referenced Ms. Frazer’s comments about pressures related to the Adequacy Standards and wondered if some of those costs relate to additional training requirements. He also recalled that over the last few years, the Board has relayed concerns to staff about professional training and development at the various ranks. He asked whether staff have identified the pressures and associated costs to meet such in-house requirements.

Ms. Frazer suggested the $100,000 captured for professional services may include such in-house training costs. She re-iterated staff will be refining the estimates through the detailed budget review which will start in a few weeks.

Chair Kreling noted the Transition Board will be making recommendations to the new Council for the City’s 2001, 2002 and 2003 budgets and he wondered if staff believed the Transition Board would be doing likewise for the Police Service.

Ms. Frazer indicated that was her understanding. She explained that a Budget Project Group report was tabled with the Transition Board, to be considered at its 14 August meeting. She believed the Transition Board will give some guidance or set targets for the budget process. She stated staff are carefully monitoring discussions and will bring information back to the Board.

- Chief’s report dated 12 July 00

Member Buckingham wondered if the Police Service can get the spaces needed at the Ontario Police College to hire and train 29 new officers. Ms. Frazer indicated that between OPC spaces and direct entries, the Service can bring on 29 additional people.

Member Buckingham indicated that as she read through the report, she saw no evidence of a need to hire 29 additional officers other than the fact that the Province is offering funding.

Chief Bevan explained that the Service received information on the program approximately three weeks ago and has therefore not had time to do an in-depth study to determine exactly how many officers would be required based on the current population and growth trends.

Member Buckingham indicated she had difficulty supporting such an application because although the Province provides funding on a declining basis for the duration of the program, it would in fact increase future funding pressures with no definitive evidence of need.

Member McCombie recalled the Board has visited many communities across the Region where residents have complained about the lack of officers responding to calls and patrolling their streets. He felt 29 additional officers is just a drop in the bucket and indicated he would be in favor of hiring 150 more if it were possible.

Vice Chair Baskerville stated the program ends in 2½ years and the subsidy will only cover 50% of the associated salary costs at the fourth and third class constable rates therefore, the larger expense will come later, when the new officers become first class constables. He wondered if hiring 29 new officers under this program would in effect increase the Service’s complement. He noted the report suggests that the 29 additional officers could be used to soften the impacts from retirements and resignations in 2002 and 2003 and he wondered if this meant the Service would allow attrition to reduce the authorized complement or whether the Service would, at that time, become understaffed.

Ms. Frazer stated the Board has authorized, through the budget and through a submission to the Ontario Civilian Commission on Police Services (OCCPS), a sworn officer complement of 1,040. Hiring 29 new officers under this program would increase that complement by 20. She stressed, it would be a Board decision as to whether that is a long-standing increase or whether the Service would simply be staffed above complement for that period of time. She indicated one of the strategies for dealing with the budget impacts that will occur when funding drops off is to allow retirement to occur without re-staffing to bring the complement back to within the 1,040 level.

In response to a further question from Vice Chair Baskerville, Chief Bevan confirmed the staffing changes would also have an impact on the redeployment of resources, the district structures and other confidential matters that are currently being discussed.

In response to questions from member Legendre, Ms. Frazer indicated the Service currently has 1,039 sworn officers. The benchmark of 935, which is referenced on page 9 of the agenda represents the actual staffing of the OCRPS when the Province first launched this program in 1998.

Member Legendre wondered how the benchmark affects the Service’s eligibility to apply for this program. Ms. Frazer explained that the Service is eligible as long as staffing remains above the benchmark level.

Member Legendre noted the last time the program was offered, there were a total of 951 positions available and the OCRPS got 22 of them. Using that kind of factor, and given that there are 49 positions available this time, he felt it unlikely that the OCRPS would get 29 new officers.

Chief Bevan acknowledged that member Legendre was probably right, but he suggested that because the OCRPS got relatively few the last time, it may get more than its fair share this time. With respect to officer complement and budgetary impacts, he explained staff brought this report to the Board knowing that the Region is growing phenomenally and that at some point he will be coming back asking for an increase in complement. He saw this as an opportunity to get some of those positions subsidized over the next three years.

In response to a question from member Legendre with respect to positions filled under this program effectively increasing the Service’s complement, Ms. Frazer stated it is the Board’s decision whether or not to increase the complement and the Board would have the make a decision about reducing the complement again in future should the Service have a problem absorbing that revenue loss in the fourth year. However, she suggested that with the Region’s current growth trends and the OCRPS’s officer/population ratio, the Service will grow to need those additional officers within 3½ years.

Member Buckingham stated she felt the Service does not have the right resources at the right places and the right time, and she re-iterated her belief that Ottawa-Carleton does not need 29 additional officers.

Chair Kreling noted that if the Service hires direct entries, it may be at higher salary levels than what will be subsidized by the program and he wondered if there is a salary ceiling under this program and whether the program applies to new recruits and direct entries. Chief Bevan stated though the program is not geared to direct entries, it does not exclude them.

Chair Kreling expressed his support for the application. He noted the current growth in the community and the need to provide sufficient policing.

Member Buckingham wondered if Transition Board approval is required before proceeding on this matter. She believed the Board has a general approval to replace sworn members only. Chief Bevan indicated he would check the approval that was given by the Transition Board however, he believed it was to hire a given number of officers in the year 2000 and these 29 officers would fall within that number.

- Executive Director’s report dated 18 Jul 00 and attached letter from Deputy Chief A. Mackie dated 17 Jul 00

- Chief’s report dated 17 July 00

Member Buckingham noted some of the rationale given for moving quickly refers to a delay in building leading to unbudgeted leasing costs beyond July 2001 and a delay in the space re-alignment at Leitrim Road. She also noted the report indicated that construction of the new facility will begin in May 2001, therefore, she did not believe the East Division facility would be complete until 2002. She argued the Service will consequently incur unbudgeted leasing costs regardless of the speed with which the project is approved.

Ms. Frazer explained that provisions for these leased spaces have been incorporated in the operating budget and as the new spaces become available, staff will substitute those operating costs for the new building. She felt the greater concern about further delays relates to the rising construction costs.

Member Buckingham noted some of the estimates are based on January 2000 construction costs and she wondered how much contingency was built in to them. Ms. C. Roper indicated there is an approximate 20% contingency built in to the estimates to help counter construction escalation costs.

Vice Chair Baskerville noted the report states the current West District facility meets the Service’s needs for an interim district office and he wondered if the site would be suitable as a permanent location. Mr. Frazer explained there are two aspects in determining whether or not a facility is suitable as a permanent office; the first is whether or not it performs well operationally, the second is whether or not it is a good real estate decision to continue to lease that site. She indicated the office currently operates very well and operational staff will continue to evaluate that over the next three to five years. With respect to the real estate decision, she stated the Service is currently leasing that site because it isn’t the right time to buy a site in the City of Kanata; it is the most expensive and difficult area of the Region in which to obtain a site at this time.

 *** Report requiring Transition Board approval.

- Chief’s report dated 11 July 2000

In response to a question from Member Buckingham with regard to a growing backlog in complaint cases, Chief Bevan explained that because of the current staffing levels within the Professional Standards Section, special projects assigned to staff and the time required to complete some of those projects, he acknowledged there has been less staff time available to deal with complaints, therefore some files are taking longer to bring to resolution.

Member Buckingham was concerned that to not resolve the backlog within a reasonable timeframe would send the message to the public that their complaints are not important. She stressed the importance of dealing with complaints in a timely manner.

Chief Bevan clarified his comments, stressing that all complaints are being addressed and investigations undertaken, however resolutions are taking a bit longer in some cases. He recognized the Board’s priorities to have complaints resolved in a timely fashion and promised to endeavour to do that however, he indicated he has to balance demands across the organization.

- Chief’s report dated 14 Jul 00

Chief Bevan reported on the following:

- Executive Director’s report dated 18 July 00

Member Buckingham referenced the resolutions and questioned why the CAPB would endorse them because she believed they pertain more to provincial matters.

Chair Kreling explained that the resolutions put forward for consideration at the CAPB’s annual general meeting are submitted by member organizations, and though they may not necessarily be of a national scope, it is considered a forum for debate.

Member Legendre asked that members who will be in attendance suggest adding the words "red-light cameras" to motion 00-5 which speaks to photo radar. Since the resolution was submitted by the Regional Municipality of Peel Police Services Board, he suspected that it in fact refers to red-light cameras. He indicated the Region’s Transportation Committee has often asked the Province to allow red-light cameras and there is currently a trial underway in Peel. He believed it is important to focus the language because he felt there may be a better chance of getting red-light cameras than of getting photo radar. He suggested it would be a great step forward for enforcement because conflicts at intersections are more dangerous than speeding on highways.

Member Legendre recalled that at the last meeting, the Chief had a fairly important message to send to the Board, the public and the media, but unfortunately by the time the Board heard his verbal report, members of the media and public had left. He felt that represented an opportunity missed and he noted the same argument frequently applies to the Inquiries portion of the agenda. For this reason, Member Legendre suggested moving the Chief’s Verbal Report and the Inquiries to the beginning of the meeting and he urged members to support his motion.

Member Buckingham noted the Inquiries portion of the agenda was once at the beginning of the agenda and was moved to the end. She did not see Board members’ role as playing to the media. She indicated she was quite content with the current set-up because her priority is to get to the policy issues.

Chair Kreling did not have a problem with moving the Chief’s Verbal Report and the Inquiries to the beginning of the meeting agenda. However, he was concerned about hearing public delegations first because he did not want to keep delegations waiting to make their presentations to the Board.

Member Legendre indicated he would be happy to amend his motion accordingly.

Moved by J. Legendre