Listening in to a public hearing item at Calgary city council, you often hear a deluge of citizens laying out their case for or against a topic. They’re all on the same side.

In many cases, when there’s a string of speakers, in an hours-long public hearing, you’re left wondering, ‘Where’s the other side to all of this?’

And then it comes. But, not until the opposite side has all but packed up, left the building (or the virtual portal) only to read later about a decision.

Ward 3 Coun. Jasmine Mian wants to change all of that with an upcoming Notice of Motion coming to the Executive Committee on March 12 for a technical review.  Mian wants to change the Procedure Bylaw governing meeting process to ensure that there are alternating viewpoints heard, rather than big blocks of yeas or nays.

Right now, the bylaw prescribes that a public hearing item starts with the development proponent or applicant, then all of those in favour, and finishes with all those against. Mian wants it to be a mix of people, so each can hear the others’ perspective.

When she first became a councillor, Mian said she learned quickly that public hearings could mean listening to dozens, maybe hundreds of people, often on contentious issues.

“I just realized that those who feel a certain way were surrounded and hearing from other people that feel the same way as them,” Coun. Mian told LWC.

“We need to have better public discourse about a lot of issues. I think the way to do that is to actually ensure that all voices are heard, but also in an order that allows them to hear from each other.”

More engaging conversation potential with alternating speakers

Jeff Marsh is no stranger to the public hearing process, both as a citizen and community association representative.

Admittedly, he said that he’s often on the against side, meaning that he’s near the end of an individual public hearing item. By that time, councillors are often bleary-eyed with citizen after citizen speaking on an issue.

To that end, having alternating viewpoints could pep things up, Marsh said.

“I think it might be more balanced, I think it would keep them more energized and give them more food for thought into hearing one side and then the other on one side than the other as opposed to, as you said, the echo chamber, and then the echo chamber a second time,” he said.

Marsh also said that having it alternate within a panel might also give people the chance to exchange words or ideas with one another in person, fostering a better connection with people who may not share the same perspective.

“Maybe we would connect and go for coffee after and they both learn from each other, so it gives more of an opportunity for more diverse connection with others,” he said.

Ward 7 Coun. Terry Wong said it could present logistical issues for the city clerk, trying to piece together panelists that are for, against or neutral. Further, he’s not sure that having different perspectives will matter to councillors.

“I know many councillors walk in there having other history with it or have recently read the file, and pre-evaluation has already set a particular bias if not a declaration already,” he said.

In a theoretical world, Coun. Wong said other participants may be swayed by hearing others, depending on how open-minded they are.

“If you get people who have who’ve been indoctrinated in a certain ideology, philosophy, a certain entitlement – no, it’s not going to change your mind,” he said.

Fatigue factor in play

Wong was also worried about the ability of councillors and the public to stay on top of the constant back and forth. But, Mian said during lengthy public hearings, it might keep them more engaged.

“I think from a decision maker point of view, it’s also important. I think to hear only from people in supportive something for almost a day or even two to four days of public hearing, and then hearing from people who are against this, there’s fatigue in that process,” she said.

Marsh said – though not a councillor – that it might be better for councillors to be in that position.

“I don’t think they’re exhausted because their brains have been churning too much. I think they’re exhausted because it’s been too monotonous,” he said.  

“I think mixing it up would actually keep them on their toes. I think they would actually be more attentive, and I think it will allow their brains to process and contemplate issues.”

Mian said that the timing of the notice of motion was important, too. She wanted to ensure that should the citywide rezoning matter hit public hearing on April 22, this would be in place.

“The citywide rezoning is the topic that I see very big generational differences, in that folks who are established homeowners have very different opinions than those who are priced out of the market. Increasingly those folks are speaking in the echo chamber, surrounded by people who think like they do,” Coun. Mian said.

“As decision-makers, we have to contend with both sides but I also think both sides need to hear from each other about what are the pain points, and what are the realities that they’re living with, in the public square, as we have it.”