by Anne Finlay-Stewart
Regular Owen Sound City Council meetings happen about twenty times a year. In less than 50 hours, the decisions about our city are made, all in full view of the public and the Rogers television cameras. Politicians and community members alike take advantage of those few hours of free broadcast and streamed time to promote causes, concerns and...commercials?

Last night an international beauty products brand got a full twenty-plus minutes of promotion in our municipal council chamber, from start to end of a deputation about a charity walk.

The cause is a vital one without question - improving access to safe water, hygiene and toilets in the world's poorest communities is lifesaving work. Clearly the Mayor and councillors understand this because many of them have participated in these fundraising walks in past years, so they suggested that the local business owner/host make a deputation to Council. The multiple airings of the Council meeting on Rogers, on the City website and on The Hub City page give these occasions lots of public viewing.

We presume the business owner applied at the Clerk's office before last Wednesday, as per the procedural by-law, and received the information sheet about making a deputation which includes the bolded "10 minute time limit". As the Council meeting began, the businessman came in with props, placards, and his staff wearing t-shirts displaying the event and the brand sponsor.

After a deputation (the first ever, we understand) about the history and work of the non-profit housing boards in our city, the businessman took the podium.

And he did not leave for more than 22 minutes. The brand name of the sponsor was used eighteen times from the time we started counting (five minutes in) including the introduction of the corporate spokesperson  who spoke of the brand's pride in the event. As he drank regularly from a branded water bottle, the businessman asked every branded staff member to stand – twice- and introduced them by name. Every volunteer and political participant was named as their pictures were shown on the screen and the placards, topped with the brand name, were shown to the camera. The largest donor was named, along with the fact that he has "stood at this podium to ask for a reduction in development charges".

The Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Hazel Lynn, spoke briefly of her own experience of the importance of clean water in Africa. She and a two-minute video delivered the urgency of the crisis. Again – water is life, and the cause is vital. Much more important than sponsors or volunteers, of whom there are thousands in Owen Sound.

To add to the "ad", the City of Owen Sound posted a photo on Facebook after the meeting.

Was it Ken Thomson, who has worked for twenty-five years on affordable housing in our city? No, it was the businessman and his staff fronted by their branded placards.

I attend most city council meetings and have seen the 10 minute rule broken more than once. I have never, unless the speaker is being honoured or is over 90, observed the chair allow the speaker such lenience without comment. And I have never seen a local business or commercial brand given such prominence.

We at The Hub commend our Council for their participation in community events, and for the opportunity the deputation process offers to residents to advocate for causes and provide information. We encourage groups and concerned individuals to bring their concerns and celebrations to Council. We are grateful to Rogers television for helping bring these messages along with municipal governance to the broader public.

However, what we witnessed last night was unaccountable commercial opportunism in the name of charity.

If Council is willing, they could create guidelines to avoid this in future. At the very least, they should enforce the by-law that others try so carefully to respect.