Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Arthur Newspaper

@arthurnews.bsky.social

160 followers 60 following 1.2K posts

Award-winning radical independent press since 1966. Community oriented and student run. Based out of Trent University in Peterborough-Nogojiwanong, so-called "Ontario, Canada." Editors: David King, Louanne Morin & Ian Vansegbrook www.trentarthur.ca

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Arthur Newspaper @arthurnews.bsky.social · 5d

And with that, we're done for the night. See you next week!

Arthur Newspaper @arthurnews.bsky.social · 5d

On Other Business, Leal reassures councillors that he'll be reaching out to the Ministry of the Environment regarding the implications of the GE demolition.

Arthur Newspaper @arthurnews.bsky.social · 5d

Now voting on the ratification on by-laws relevant to the motions passed today (another step in ratifying them). All carry unanimously.

Arthur Newspaper @arthurnews.bsky.social · 5d

I was wrong - D (Bierk's amendment from this meeting) is taken to a second vote and carries

Arthur Newspaper @arthurnews.bsky.social · 5d

C, to consult PACAC on the designation of sites recommended by ERA, carries

Arthur Newspaper @arthurnews.bsky.social · 5d

B, that council has no intent to designate the buildings not recommended by ERA, carries.

Arthur Newspaper @arthurnews.bsky.social · 5d

Leal says the motion is in order, and Lachica challenges him as Chair. Council votes to uphold Leal's decision, so a is still approved.

Arthur Newspaper @arthurnews.bsky.social · 5d

A, to receive the notice of intent to demolish from GE, carries. Lachica argues as she has previously that this out of order because it amounts to a de-listing of a property up for designation without that property coming before PACAC.

Arthur Newspaper @arthurnews.bsky.social · 5d

Coun. Duguay is calling the question. This applies to all subsections except d (Bierk's amendment), as that has already been approved in the vote.

Arthur Newspaper @arthurnews.bsky.social · 5d

It seems as though each subsection of the main motion (marked by letters a-d) will be voted on separately, just like at the last general committee meeting on the topic.

Arthur Newspaper @arthurnews.bsky.social · 5d

to consult PACAC on a possible designation of the sites recommended by ERA (c), and (as amended by Coun. Bierk) for staff to prepare an outline for a report on the health and safety impacts of the demolition (d).

Arthur Newspaper @arthurnews.bsky.social · 5d

Back to the main motion to receive GE's notice of intent to demolish part of their Park St. factory (a), council's lack of intent to designate the buildings on-site that haven't been recommended for heritage designation by ERA Architects Inc. (b),

Arthur Newspaper @arthurnews.bsky.social · 5d

Bierk's amendment carries with only Haacke, Leal, Parnell, Duguay and Baldwin opposed.

Arthur Newspaper @arthurnews.bsky.social · 5d

"It's their site and their responsibility," says Parnell

Arthur Newspaper @arthurnews.bsky.social · 5d

Coun. Parnell calls the amendment "misdirected." "These are questions for GE-Vernova," not staff, she says.

Arthur Newspaper @arthurnews.bsky.social · 5d

Another point of order from Bierk: "I'm not asking for staff to come back with a health and safety plan" but an outline, he says. This is in response to questions from Leal and other councillors about which staffers would be responsible for a prospective plan.

Arthur Newspaper @arthurnews.bsky.social · 5d

Another point of order from Crowley, then one from Bierk, then another from Crowley. Councillors are debating whether or not equal attention has been given to other brown fields.

Arthur Newspaper @arthurnews.bsky.social · 5d

Lachica calls a point of order: she contends that the assumption that councillors don't care about other brown fields is disparaging.

Arthur Newspaper @arthurnews.bsky.social · 5d

Coun. Crowley says the motion ought to apply to all site, regardless of contamination. He is confused as to why this site has received so much more attention than other brown fields in other neighbourhoods.

Arthur Newspaper @arthurnews.bsky.social · 5d

"A, there's no timeline, B, I have no idea who on staff" will be responsible for this plan, says Baldwin.

Arthur Newspaper @arthurnews.bsky.social · 5d

I should clarify that Bierk's amendment calls for the development of an "outline for a health and safety plan for the GE site and its broader impact."

Arthur Newspaper @arthurnews.bsky.social · 5d

Beamer says he is in favour of Bierk's amendment, as it doesn't mention a deferral or any interference with the demolition plan.

Arthur Newspaper @arthurnews.bsky.social · 5d

Council is still confused about whether or not this motion is in order.

Arthur Newspaper @arthurnews.bsky.social · 5d

"What we need to do as a council here is to protect not only the neighbourhood but the city," says Riel.

Arthur Newspaper @arthurnews.bsky.social · 5d

He reminds the horseshoe he organized the largest intake clinic in Canada for local workers - "we've never seen so many chemicals" in one place, he was told then.