A couple comments on Chris' blog. I'm a big fan of Chris, but not working with all the information in front of him here. He's just going on what's in the media up to this point though.
Booting the CHBA is wrong
02/24/20130 Comments
Chris Harper
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This unilateral action has put at risk much more than the relationship between the development industry and the City of Calgary, which I might add is already shaky. It sends the message that to disagree with the Mayor is to risk removal from participation in key initiatives and be sent to the penalty box.
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The action was NOT unilateral. There was a unanimous resolution of the Priorities and Finance Committee of Council, which deals with these matters.
Again, the issue was not disagreeing with the Mayor, but making inaccurate and misleading statements about freezing suburban development.
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How can any participant or representative organization participating in a City initiative or task force speak honestly to its members after the removal of the CHBA?
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The CHBA should speak honestly to its members. It didn't.
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The removal of the CHBA has damaged the credibility of engagement. It makes the outcomes of the various task forces underway illegitimate. The Transforming Planning and Cut Red Tape initiatives are primary opportunities to build better efficiency and improve service. After the removal of the CHBA, the outcomes of these initiatives will lack credibility. The outcomes will be illegitimate. How can you “transform” planning and “cut red tape” without a key stakeholder at the table? How can you validate acceptance and understand impacts without a key stakeholder at the table? You can’t. Just look to recent discussions around the Calgary Regional Partnership. Without key communities participating, the Calgary Metropolitan Plan just won’t happen. And so is the case with the CHBA and the City of Calgary.
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I think unfortunately, it was the CHBA President that undermined the engagement that was happening. Amie is THE best contributor to Cut Red Tape and Transforming Planning. They were saying one thing in committee, and something completely different to their members. That said, it's a suspension, CHBA has every opportunity to clarify their comments and rectify the situation.