LACAC rejects Pearson as their Lister representative
July 28, 2006

The city's municipal heritage committee (LACAC) has unanimously rejected the representative appointed on their behalf to participate in the provincial working group on the future of the Lister Block. The vote directly contradicts assertions made two weeks ago in a news release by the provincial ministry of culture.

The July 11 release identified Stoney Creek councillor Maria Pearson as the representative of LACAC on the group that has been meeting secretly to "to help find a mutually acceptable agreement" between those who want to demolish the building and those advocating that it should be restored.

At yesterday's monthly meeting of LACAC a motion was approved unanimously that Pearson "does not represent the opinions of this committee". Pearson was not present at the meeting, but in the May meeting of LACAC she was the only one in favour of demolishing the building in a 12 to 1 vote to reject the application of LIUNA to tear down the historic building and replace it with a replica office tower.

Pearson's appointment to represent LACAC on the working group was a surprise, and it is now clear that the heritage committee itself had no role in selecting her, even though the provincial news release clearly identifies her as its representative where she is listed as "Councillor Maria Pearson, City of Hamilton LACAC". Her role as a representative of the heritage committee is also stated in the text of the release:

"The working group includes representatives from the Lister Block owner and developer, the City of Hamilton (including Mayor Larry Di Ianni), senior municipal real estate staff, the Hamilton Downtown Business Improvement Association, Hamilton's municipal heritage committee and community heritage organizations. Participation is voluntary, and parties may withdraw at any time."

It's not clear if LACAC's vote means that Pearson should or will withdraw, and it remains a mystery as to why she was selected in the first place. The committee had selected its chair, Diane Dent, to address city council on the Lister Block issue on June 12 where she strongly opposed the demolition permit request.

Dent told the committee yesterday that she had spoken to a provincial official who had explained that Pearson and others on the working group "were not representatives of associations; they were individual members." But she noted that clarification was provided before the July 11 news release that contradicted it.

The issue of Pearson's role was raised by LACAC member Bill Manson who said there "was no small irony in that appointment". Michelle Stark expressed concern that the secret negotiations means the committee doesn't know what Pearson is saying on LACAC's behalf. "Is she putting forward positions on behalf of our committee . or is she putting forward her position as a councillor, or from another committee?"

Paul Shaker suggested a formal motion was necessary to make clear that Pearson is not seen as acting on behalf of LACAC. "She's not representative of the views of this committee," he said, "and I just want it on the record to make that point".

The committee clerk, Stephanie Paparella, intervened and argued against the adoption of a formal motion, suggesting instead that she would include Shaker's views in the minutes. But Shaker said he didn't want it just recorded "as a comment from me personally". He noted that Pearson's role was sanctioned by the province. "She was marked as being officially representative," he noted, "and it's not a stretch to say that is inappropriate".

Shaker's motion was seconded by Frances Neufeld and adopted 12-0.

City council voted 11-4 on June 14 to approve LIUNA's demolition permit, but to delay its implementation for 60 days at the request of the Minister of Culture, Caroline Di Cocco, to allow for further discussion. According to the July 11 provincial news release, "the [working] group aims to present recommendations to the City of Hamilton council meeting in early August, prior to a demolition permit coming into effect on August 13."

The most likely date for that is Wednesday, August 9 when councillors are scheduled to meet at 9:30 in committee of the whole to deal with the business of several standing committees. A city council meeting to ratify those decisions will take place immediately after the end of the committee of the whole.

The provincial news release can be viewed at http://www.culture.gov.on.ca/english/about/n110706.htm.

A transcript of the June 14 city council debate on the Lister demolition application has recently been posted on the CATCH website at http://www.hamiltoncatch.org/council/council_060614a.htm.