Rob Hadley

The decision to dissolve vital Advisory Boards misunderstands their essential function: they are not political liabilities; they are indispensable assets to responsible city governance. These boards perform three critical, non-negotiable roles that Council cannot replicate alone: * Specialized, De-Politicized Expertise: Boards like the Board of Variance and Urban Design Panel provide quasi-judicial and technical oversight that relies on professional expertise, legal statute, and industry best practices, shielding complex decisions from political interference. Boards like the Gastown Historic Area Planning Committee ensure nuanced, long-term stewardship of heritage that demands deep, subject-matter knowledge. * Lived Experience and Inclusion: Advisory groups are the only formal mechanism that embeds the lived experiences of often-marginalized…