We’ve heard plenty of news in the last week or so about proposed changes to city council presentations.

Under the proposals, the 10 minute scheduled presentations will remain as long as they’re submitted before noon on the Wednesday before a council meeting.

Gone, though, if this happens will be the unscheduled 5 minute presentations if the presenters aren’t addressing items on the published agenda.

Written notice would also required before noon on the day of the council meeting.

North Bay and District Labour Council President Henri Giroux says council would be stifling democracy if this is allowed to go ahead, and not just presentations from labour, but other issues as well like the casino debate, the pipeline issue and the privatization of Hydro One.

Giroux says organized labour has been prevented since 2007 from making a 10 minute scheduled presentation, but still makes 5 minute presentations on issues like the future of Canada Post and Cassellholme.

But, he says that will be gone if council approves these changes unless those items are on the published agenda.

Giroux says they would accept an exception for labour issues that impact the community so they could still present but otherwise they are strongly against the proposals.