The City of Langford has banned a member of the public from attending council meetings in-person for the next three months, effective immediately.
The unanimous decision was made during an in-camera meeting, which followed the regular council meeting on Jan. 13.
“Council considered the options presented in a staff report, which was drafted in consultation with external legal counsel,” said a city spokesperson in an emailed statement.
“The decision was based on more than one incident and was deemed concerning enough for council to have to take this action.”
The unnamed person, who has been notified of the decision, can still attend meetings via electronic means.
Going forward, the city says it will take all steps deemed necessary to ensure staff and the public can feel safe.
Ahead of the Jan. 13 meeting, a small group of protesters gathered outside City Hall to call for the resignation of Coun. Lillian Szpak.
Protesters were upset about the findings of an investigation by the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for B.C. (OIPC), which found the council had breached privacy law when sharing a resident’s personal information.
The original complaint to the OIPC was made by Langford resident Ed Court, who was embroiled in an ongoing parking dispute with Szpak’s son.
Court had alleged Szpak had “illegally obtained” his personal information from the city’s bylaw department, which she then shared with other city staff and councillors.
Watched over by bylaw officers, the protest passed without incident.
Inside the council chambers, at the request of the city, two West Shore RCMP officers were in attendance because of "unacceptable behaviour” by some members of the public.
“This decision was made as a precautionary measure, aimed at ensuring the physical and psychological safety of staff and members of the public while maintaining safe and uninterrupted public participation in council meetings,” said the city spokesperson.
Much like the protest, the meeting concluded without the need for police intervention.
