Comment: The current Red Deer city council would likely have to have a closed door meetings to decide whether they should do this or not...

My response: I agree, and while I do understand the purpose of in-camera (closed door) meetings. They’re meant for discussions involving sensitive matters—such as employee contracts or details about bids that shouldn’t be publicly recorded. Unfortunately, I think many councils use them instead to align or even bully members on issues they want to push forward—like a bridge rehabilitation project perhaps?—before anything is discussed openly.

That’s why I strongly support community committees directly connected to the municipality, as well as ensuring residents are given proper time to speak on specific topics. Public meetings should inform and engage people, not talk down to them or deny them the chance to ask questions.
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In the town I lived in, there was once an attempt to eliminate community committees, but after a few years of backlash, they were brought back. Municipal residents deserve the opportunity, whenever possible, to voice their well-considered opinions on projects and expenditures.