Shabby behaviour from councillors

I witnessed extremely disrespectful behaviour by councillors Mike Nickel and Moe Banga during this week’s budget presentations toward two women giving very emotional presentations as part of Thrive Edmonton about the pain of caring for disabled kids while on fixed incomes.

While these women spoke passionately about how having access to affordable, high-quality city services helped their families literally survive, neither councillor appeared to be listening. They just browsed on their phones.

Afterwards, these two councillors had the nerve to interrogate and humiliate these women just so they could get sound bites on the news.

Banga reminded these women that someone always has to pay the bill. Nickel brought attention to business people in the room, then asked one of the women to turn and ask them for a tax increase. These women were ordinary guests in council chambers and not expected to speak as tax accountants.

I expect better behaviour from elected representatives, especially after council directed city administration to address bullying and intimidation within the workplace.

Let’s hope these councillors’ poor choices don’t turn off these or other women from using their voice again in the future.

Adam Bentley, Edmonton