THUNDER BAY – City Council has taken another step forward with a decision last night to live-stream Council Meetings on the Internet. The move will allow the public and Councillors alike to view the meetings at a time of their choosing.
Following a successful pilot project in June 2010, and the review and recommendations of City Council’s Community Communications Committee, Administration is proceeding with video streaming of City Council and Committee of the Whole meetings starting with the inaugural meeting on December 6, 2010. An annual budget of $10,000 will be included in the 2011 Operating Budgets for the consideration of City Council.
The process will open up Council Meetings and allow for greater transparency on many issues.
Administration stated in a report to Council: “Through video streaming on the internet, viewers will be able to watch live and archived Council and Committee of the Whole meetings. Both live and archived meetings will be accessed from the City’s website. The archived meetings will be indexed by agenda topic.
Following are just some reasons to video stream meetings and events of public interest:
· Dramatically widen access to City of Thunder Bay’s information and events
· Improve transparency and accountability
· Demonstrate a leading edge image
· Improve accessibility as audio provides a method for visually impaired citizens to get the information
· Additional channel to promote and market the organization, events and services.”