Your council just went private on an important review

Alright, let's talk about what's happening down at City Hall, or more specifically, what’s *not* happening in public. On May 19, 2026, the City Manager and City Auditor Performance Evaluation Committee met to discuss the City Auditor Annual Performance Review. Seems straightforward enough, right?

Here’s the thing: Councillor K. Principe moved that the committee meet in public, according to the official council motions. That motion *carried* 3-0. However, immediately after, Councillor T. Parmar moved that the committee meet in private, citing sections 20 and 29 of the *Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act* – that’s for "disclosure harmful to personal privacy" and "advice from officials." That motion also *carried* 3-0.

So, the committee voted to meet in public, then promptly voted to meet in private. All three councillors present – A. Knack, K. Principe, and T. Parmar – voted "yes" on both motions. It’s a bit of a head-scratcher, like when the Oilers play a perfect period then forget how to skate for the next twenty minutes. Honestly though, this kind of dance around public access isn't uncommon, but it always bears watching when transparency becomes a negotiation.

We’ll have to keep an eye on how the City Auditor's review process unfolds, and whether more details emerge from behind closed doors.

Darren Fedoruk (@deepnorth_yeg)

Edmonton doesn't need your approval. Never did.

You can hear more of this kind of thing, and much worse, on mornings.live.