![['<p>Deputy Mayor Brent Gallant delivering his economic development report, which included details about the IO Solutions deal, during Monday night’s city council meeting. </p>']](https://saltwire.imgix.net/deputy-mayor-brent-gallant-3067981.jpg?cs=srgb&fit=crop&h=568&w=847&dpr=1&auto=compress%2Cformat%2Cenhance)
The municipality and the Junior A hockey franchise are currently hashing out a contract for the upcoming season, which starts Sept. 9. Once it’s finalized, Gallant wants the terms and conditions made available for anyone who wants to take a look.
“The city has all kinds of affiliations and relationships with organizations that they give money to, this is no different. I don’t see any reason why it should not be made available to the public,” said Gallant.
He added that his intention is not to pick on the Western Capitals specifically – he would like all contracts involving public money to be open for public inspection.
“Any time you’re dealing with public funds and spending the public’s money you should do that in a forum that the public can see,” said Gallant.
“We’ve all run on a transparency platform.”
In the past, the contract with the Western Capitals and similar deals, have not been publically available.
Gallant tried to have the issue put on the committee of council’s agenda earlier this month, but adding items at the last minute requires a unanimous vote from the other councillors and one objected to not being given prior notice. The issue will instead be put up for discussion at the regular council meeting on July 19.
Mayor Bill Martin remarked after the vote that while he had no issue with discussing the subject, he felt the city would be wise to seek legal advice on whether or not the contract could be released.
However, that point may be moot, as the Capitals themselves don’t have an issue with the agreement being released once it’s finalized.
“Once there is an agreed upon contract, they have no problem with the information being made public,” said Phil Bridges, executive director of the organization, speaking on behalf of the team’s 11-member ownership group.
“When you look at the different teams around the league, and what the Charlottetown Islanders contract is, this is more than a fair contract for the taxpayers of Summerside.”
The contract between the two parties that just expired was for three years, but the agreement currently being hashed out is only for one year.
@JournalPMacLean
The municipality and the Junior A hockey franchise are currently hashing out a contract for the upcoming season, which starts Sept. 9. Once it’s finalized, Gallant wants the terms and conditions made available for anyone who wants to take a look.
“The city has all kinds of affiliations and relationships with organizations that they give money to, this is no different. I don’t see any reason why it should not be made available to the public,” said Gallant.
He added that his intention is not to pick on the Western Capitals specifically – he would like all contracts involving public money to be open for public inspection.
“Any time you’re dealing with public funds and spending the public’s money you should do that in a forum that the public can see,” said Gallant.
“We’ve all run on a transparency platform.”
In the past, the contract with the Western Capitals and similar deals, have not been publically available.
Gallant tried to have the issue put on the committee of council’s agenda earlier this month, but adding items at the last minute requires a unanimous vote from the other councillors and one objected to not being given prior notice. The issue will instead be put up for discussion at the regular council meeting on July 19.
Mayor Bill Martin remarked after the vote that while he had no issue with discussing the subject, he felt the city would be wise to seek legal advice on whether or not the contract could be released.
However, that point may be moot, as the Capitals themselves don’t have an issue with the agreement being released once it’s finalized.
“Once there is an agreed upon contract, they have no problem with the information being made public,” said Phil Bridges, executive director of the organization, speaking on behalf of the team’s 11-member ownership group.
“When you look at the different teams around the league, and what the Charlottetown Islanders contract is, this is more than a fair contract for the taxpayers of Summerside.”
The contract between the two parties that just expired was for three years, but the agreement currently being hashed out is only for one year.
@JournalPMacLean
