Why is Coun. Vezeau-Allen on her phone during council meetings?

Ward 2 Coun. Lisa Vezeau-Allen admits to using her personal phone during city council meetings.

She admits to having it on her desk and using it a lot.

Not for secret confabs with her council colleagues.

More for 'mom' stuff, she says.

Vezeau-Allen sits next to Ward 4 Coun. Stephan Kinach in the council chambers.

As SooToday reported on Thursday, Kinach is alleging at least four of his fellow councillors, possibly as many as six, are participating in group chats during meetings.

Kinach claims it was happening at this week's city council, when councillors controversially approved a bulk sale of 90 parking passes in the city-owned Spring-March and Brock-Albert lots.

"I saw with my own eyes some messages coming in on my neighbours' phones at the same time while sitting in the council chambers," Kinach told SooToday.

In our coverage yesterday, Coun. Vezeau-Allen denied being part of any council member group chat.

"As council we should not collectively discuss council business outside of the formal meeting: it could create quorum and jeopardizes the integrity of council," she said.

"A group chat has its purposes, especially when organizing a group of people, but should only be used for non-business purposes (travel arrangements, special events as an example)."

On Friday, Vezeau-Allen contacted us to explain why she can often be seen on her smartphone during meetings.

"Between the hours of boards and committee work and the DSSAB (District Social Services Administration Board), it's a lot of work. It's a lot of hours."

Vezeau-Allen says Kinach definitely uses his own phone during council meetings.

"I don't pay close attention but his phone certainly is out. I certainly have seen him use his phone during meetings – 100 per cent.

"Whether he's scrolling, I'm not going to be looking that closely. But certainly, he is active on his phone, whether he's sending a text or reading an email or looking at something online, but his phone is out."

"I have my personal phone out during the council meeting. I have children, young adults, children at home, one of whom needs supports.

"And so I make sure that I'm available and I check in to make sure – you know –  just regular mom stuff. Did you let the dog out? I'm gonna be done around eight o'clock. Does anybody need anything? How are you doing? Did you do your homework?

"Just typical check-ins to make sure everything's good at home. I may have an email or a note on my phone, questions or things like that, but I want to make sure I am prepared, such as when I asked all the questions for the parking issue."

"So certainly technology is something that we all use, especially in terms checking an email or texting."

"I've never used my phone for anything that would be deemed, you unethical or untoward."

"While we are council members we're also parents and caregivers. When you're sitting in a room for four-plus hours, sometimes people need to be available."

Municipal councils tend to have more men than women, Vezeau-Allen said.

"What's always been brought up is that women are caregivers and that can sometimes impede the ability to be able to participate meaningfully in meetings and procedures. So I need to have my phone out for being available to my kids."

So who are the councillors that Kinach is supposedly seeing engaging in council group chats?

Ward 3 Coun. Ron Zagordo, who also sits next to Kinach, has said he's not involved in any chat group.

Ward 5 Coun. Corey Gardi, who sits on the other side of Vezeau-Allen, contacted our newsroom overnight to say: "I can confirm I am not in any chat groups with councillors. I am not sure why Coun. Kinach would insinuate that, as it seems he has, in the article I just read on SooToday," Gardi said.

As SooToday reported earlier today, the Downtown Association's parking committee has called a town hall-type public meeting on parking issues for Thursday, July 4.