Arrests at Oshawa City Council

For anyone that hasn't been following the events of this incident lately, two people were arrested at the Oshawa city council meeting after they refused to leave. They were protesting the elimination of the Auditor General position and the firing of the AG Ron Foster. Its the AG's job to oversee public spending and make sure everything is spent correctly. Essentially, to make sure there is no corruption by the members of government. I am totally for having the AG position since it is so easy for members of any government to abuse the public purse. This whole situation just stinks and its funny because its so obvious to anyone who reads a couple articles why Oshawa is actually doing this.

First of all, a motion to eliminate the AG position was was put forth by City Manager Bob Duignan. The AG Ron Foster had accused Bob Duignan in a formal report to the city of impropriety when it came to a real-estate deal. Apparently an investigation was done by the city into the deal and found nothing wrong with it. After Duignan is exonerated he then tables a motion to have the position eliminated. The city defended the motion by saying they were only letting the positions contract expire. Its so absurdly obvious looking at the series of events that the city just didn't want this guy looking into any shady deals they have going on. If Bob Duignan was mad at Ron Foster for reporting him he could have just tabled a motion to have him replaced but instead tables a motion to have the position eliminated. Come on, how much more obvious can you get.

Now we get to the council meeting where they are going to vote on whether to eliminate the AG position or not. Oshawa council votes 8-3 to eliminate the AG position or as they are saying allowing the contract to expire and not renewing it. So, in other words eliminating it. During the meeting there are several protesters who are against the elimination of the AG position sitting in on the meeting. What exactly they were doing leading up to the moment they were confronted by security is disputed. The first one that was arrested, Daniel Hammond says he was "clapping on his neck" to encourage the speaker. The city claims he was "heckling". Eitherway, in the video he is confronted by a security guard and asked to leave, at first he argues and says no, then when the guard insists he then says that he will leave. It was at that point the security guard grabs his arm and the fight ensues. Another protester, Bill Steele, gets absolutely mugged by plainclothes police later on. Its pathetic police work.

What a mess. For any security guards out there, don't put your hands on people. You have no more power than a normal person. Plainclothes police? Absolutely pointless. Big props to Daniel Hammond and Bill Steele for drawing attention to the issue. Videos are below.