There's a tension in municipal politics, because the charter says mayor+council have to come into public meetings with an open mind on motions and amendments. Obviously politics, particularly with parties, happen. But Vancouver has an integrity commissioner, so these emails can be made public.
This person is simply saying "a better world is not possible and we should hold authority to the lowest possible standards"
Every municipality I’ve been involved in Council clearly makes their minds up in-camera or in unofficial meetings (in violation of LGA, CC or VC legislation). But in classic BC fashion, nobody is ever held accountable with actual substantive punishment. BC: the land that law forgot.
And let’s be clear: the point is that debate and consideration of motions is supposed to happen in council. The municipal charter pre-dates parties, but the spirit is that decisions are made on the record, not in the proverbial ‘backroom’. The public has a right to be privy to these discussions.