It may sound like something out of a tightly controlled, public exercise in Russia during the 1970’s….but it happens…in Regina…in 2012.

Unlike other municipalities, Regina taxpayers can’t just speak in front of their municipal council. For some strange reason, presenters have to submit their speaking points to council the week before the meeting and can’t stray from what was submitted.

So if a Regina taxpayer happens to think of some good points to add to a speech after he or she has sent it in to city hall…well, forget about it. Council wants no part of it.

In fact, this week mayoral candidate Chad Novak was removed from the chamber for straying from the speech he submitted to council the week before. The Mayor Fiacco asked him to stick to his script and when Novak refused, he was ejected by security.

From what I understand, Chad is a bit of a controversial figure in the Regina council race. People can decide what they will about his politics and tactics, but it’s pretty ridiculous for him or any other taxpayer to have to pre-submit their speech; let alone be kicked out for straying from it.

When I first heard about this policy a couple months ago I asked my colleagues if they knew of any major cities in Alberta, B.C. and Ontario that had similar requirement – the answer was a resounding ‘no.’

I know from speaking to committees at the Manitoba Legislature and in Winnipeg that the answer here too was ‘no.’ I confirmed today with Saskatoon’s clerk’s office that they too do not conduct such a puppet process either.

One may think that points you wish to raise could always be aired during the question and answer portion of a presentation. However, the last time I spoke to council there were 17 presentations by the public and not a single question was put to any of them by council. The elected folks just sat there like expensive bumps on a log.

What’s truly shocking about this is not that Regina’s city hall has the rule – after all, many old rules and laws are routinely on the books, but overlooked. What's shocking is that Regina’s council enforces it.

Even more bizarre is that no one around the council table seems to have stood up to try and make the process a bit more open and relaxed.

Perhaps that type of reformist talk is also banned. 

Regardless, if you think this policy is bunk, consider getting your favourite candidate to sign promise number five on the voter's contract.

Novak seen here being tackled to the ground (not really)