When a Toronto suburb ‘banned’ voice mail at its city hall

When a Toronto suburb 'banned' voice mail at its metropolis corridor

Positive, voice mail had its drawbacks, however may a metropolis forms actually go with out it?

It was one thing the mayor of North York, Ont., was prepared to attempt 25 years in the past.

In July 1995, North York Mayor Mel Lastman made headlines when he stated metropolis employees in his Toronto suburb could be utilizing approach much less of the phone expertise.

"Quickly, virtually nobody at North York Metropolis Corridor will likely be allowed to have voice mail taking messages throughout workplace hours," the CBC's Havard Gould advised Prime Time Information viewers on July 7, 1995.

"The exceptions: individuals who work alone and those that work outdoors of the workplace more often than not."

'Who needs to speak to this?'

In July 1995, Mel Lastman demonstrates his expertise of being compelled to go away a voice mail message at North York Metropolis Corridor. (Prime Time Information/CBC Archives)

Gould stated it appeared the change in operations had occurred after the mayor had been unable to succeed in a metropolis employees member.

Lastman was blissful to speak about what he did not like about voice mail.

"Who needs to speak to this?" Lastman stated, as he pointed to what seemed to be a few of the infrastructure that ran town's voice mail system.

The push to have people answering calls that got here in meant much more note-taking could be obligatory. Lastman anticipated different adjustments would possibly happen as properly.

'They'll reply the telephone'

A change in working practices at North York Metropolis Corridor in July 1995 meant much more messages would must be written down. (Prime Time Information/CBC Archives)

"Possibly much less espresso breaks, possibly much less chatter," he stated.

A number of residents visiting metropolis corridor appeared to assist the mayor's name for much less voice mail.

"They receives a commission for it, to allow them to reply the telephone," a person in a golf shirt ready in line at a kiosk advised Prime Time Information.

Gould stated that whereas North York could be falling again on old-school workplace practices, the mayor appeared assured it was the proper selection.

"Communication will not be as fashionable at this metropolis corridor quickly, recorded messages will likely be uncommon," stated Gould.

"However the mayor is betting folks will want speaking to folks even after they nonetheless cannot attain the individual they need," he added, because the digicam confirmed a shot of the outside of Lastman's metropolis corridor workplace.

The outside of Mayor Mel Lastman's North York Metropolis Corridor workplace is seen in July 1995. (Prime Time Information/CBC Archives)