New security measures at city hall take away from an open democracy: Leiper

At least one Ottawa City Councillor thinks security checkpoints at City Hall send a message that council isn't as open as it could be. 

Kitchissippi ward's Jeff Leiper is not happy with the metal detectors and bag checks that are planned for the new year. 

City Manager Steve Kanellakos released a memo on Tuesday, explaining that these new security measures are just part of an on-going program that includes installing bollards along the perimeter of Festival Plaza, having lock-down procedures and the installation of CCTV cameras. 

“I still feel that several of the measures are over-reach and inappropriate for a City Hall that we are keen to keep open to the public, to make it an inviting place,” explained Leiper. “To invite participation in our decision making.” 

Leiper said the openess of the council chamber and public spaces at City Hall sends a message that the local democracy is also open. 

The city announced that security would start checking bags for food, drinks and signage in the new year, as part of the new security enhancements. Work on the metal detectors started on Tuesday morning outside Andrew S. Haydon Hall, where city council holds most of its meetings. 

Kanellakos noted that these features were recommended in a report from the city's Auditor General. He noted that these changes aren't expected to change how the public interacts with their local government and that civil demonstrations can be expected to continue to take place. 

Leiper, meanwhile, feels these changes could open the city up to complaints and other issues from a security checkpoint. 

“I think that it is only a matter of time before somebody suggests that they have been unfairly treated at the security gate,” he said. “I think we're opening ourselves to lots of complaints, lots of assertions that someone has been treated unfairly.” 

“I don't think that the measures keep us any safer,” added Leiper. “But what they do do is they pose a barrier to participation in our decision making process.” 

But, despite his objections, Leiper said there is no going back from this as there is no motion before council to open it up for discussion and he doesn't feel that there would be much support to put a stop to the new measures anyway.