The City of Edmonton has temporarily hit the brakes on new security measures at city hall until the issue can be discussed with the public.
Until now, the decision to bring in metal detectors, bag searches and a physical barrier between councillors and the public has only been debated behind closed doors. It’s something Coun. Scott McKeen wants to see brought into the public.
“There should be public input. This is the public’s building – it’s not city council’s building – it’s the citizens’ building and I just was hoping that the public would have a chance to weigh in,” McKeen said Tuesday.
“I’ve certainly had a number of people asking me, ‘what the heck is going on at city hall that we need metal detectors and bag searches and that wall?'”
The new security measures were discussed in private during the Oct. 24 Council Services Committee meeting. No members of the public or media were allowed inside the meeting due to the sensitive nature of the discussion. After the decision was made, no details of the meeting were publicly released.
READ MORE: Edmonton City Hall gets security upgrade with metal detectors, bag searches
Mayor Don Iveson was not at the October meeting, but understands why certain topics are discussed in private. However, he said the fact the issue was discussed in private “created unnecessary distrust.” A motion was passed Tuesday asking administration to release any information that can be made public.
“At this point, having actually seen the reports, I’d be curious what public feedback is before I take any firm position one way or another,” Iveson said of the enhanced security measures.
“My initial reaction is that I prefer city hall to be as open and as inviting as possible while balancing that reasonably against the safety of the public to attend and participate in our meetings, the safety of our staff and incidentally, the safety of councillors.”
McKeen, who was a journalist before he was elected to council in 2013, said one of the things he admired about city hall versus other orders of government was how open it was.
“It’s extremely public. It’s extremely intimate and that makes it somewhat awkward for the politicians to evade the public and I think that’s a really important element of local democracy is that it’s close and somewhat uncomfortable. And that’s the way it should be,” he said.
“I know of no incidents we’ve ever had here. Yes, there is some risk but taking some risk, as they say, is the most Edmonton thing you can do. So I just think we’re making mountains out of molehills.”
The security report has since been posted on the City of Edmonton’s website. The topic will come back to city council in two weeks.
Here’s a closer look at how city hall security is set up in other major Canadian cities:
Vancouver
Visitors are required to check in prior to council meetings in Vancouver, but there are no metal detectors or screening processes in place.
Calgary
Metal detectors were introduced at Calgary city hall just over a year ago for people who want to attend council meetings. Bags and purses are checked before people head into chambers.
Ottawa
There is a security presence during council meetings in Ottawa but no metal detectors or bag checks.
Toronto
Toronto City Hall does not have metal detectors but there is chair-height glass divider between council and members of the public.
Montreal
All entrances to Montreal council chambers are staffed by security and people have to pass through police check points on days when council meets.
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