Council Meetings

 Those wishing to ask a question to the City Council must register on the list by providing their name, postal code, and the topic of their question. A City employee will be available at the entrance to assist with registration. The speaking order will be determined on a first-come, first-served basis. 

During the question period, those present must remain seated until their name is called. This allotted time will be the only period during which attendees may ask a question. 

Before the start of the question period, a representative of the administration will provide an update on any public-interest questions raised at the previous meeting that remain unanswered and require further verification. 

The question period is not intended for the sharing of opinions, advice, or engaging in debate. 

All participants must refrain from making personal remarks, insinuations, or using violent, offensive, threatening, or disrespectful language, as well as employing words deemed vexatious, disparaging, or intimidating. 

Questions and answers must be clear and concise to encourage participation, maintain order, and allow as many people as possible to address the Council and learn about City affairs. 

Only questions of public interest are permitted. All questions of private interest unrelated to City business are not allowed. 

Rules 

• Priority to speak is given to citizens and taxpayers of the City of Pointe-Claire. Non-residents may ask their questions afterward, time permitting. 
• The question period has a maximum duration of 90 minutes. However, a majority of Council members present may agree to extend the question period.
• Please note that once three (3) different attendees have asked a question on the same matter during the meeting, that topic may no longer be the subject of new questions until the question period of the next Council meeting.
• During a special meeting, questions must relate exclusively to the item(s) on the agenda.
• Each person is limited to two (2) questions, with or without a preliminary statement, and must not exceed the total allotted time of three (3) minutes for questions.  
• Questions are addressed to the chairperson who may respond immediately or, if further verification is required, provide a response at the next meeting or in writing. The floor may also be ceded to another Council member or to the City Manager to provide or complete the response. 

Moderation Rules 

The chairperson, as well as any member of Council or of City administration may refuse to answer a question: 

1. If the response would require or constitute professional advice or a personal opinion.
2. If the question is frivolous, contains personal remarks or insinuations, or uses violent, offensive, threatening, disrespectful, vexatious, disparaging, or intimidating language.
3. If the question contains a hypothesis, draws a deduction, attributes motives, or is designed to elicit a specific response.
4. If the question concerns a matter pending before the courts or a quasi-judicial body, or a matter under investigation where responding could be prejudicial to the City or an individual, or could disclose part of the evidence or arguments, the question may not be answered.  

The chairperson may limit or withdraw speaking rights from any member of the public who does not comply with the internal governance rules surrounding council meetings 

Documents, including petitions, other written requests, or informational materials, may be submitted to the City Clerk during the question period; however, these documents may not be read aloud.