SCHREIBER — In anticipation of a trip that Coun. Anne-Marie Bourgeault is taking out west, Schreiber’s chief administrative officer Rosalie Evans presented a report detailing amendments to be made to the procedural by-law that restricts a councillor's ability to participate in meetings electronically.
The report was presented at a recent council meeting.
The by-law states, as per the CAO, that councillors can only participate in meetings electronically if there is a “state of emergency” declared.
It also states that you cannot vote on motions virtually.
Evans said it’s time for this by-law to be brought up to date.
“In my opinion, we should allow broader electronic participation even outside of emergency declaration circumstances,” she said.
She sought guidance from council about further parameters for amendments to the by-Law, including how many virtual participants are allowed at a time and whether or not they are counted as present for quorum and have the ability to vote.
Evans said this could extend to members of the public who want to speak.
Mayor Kevin Mullins and many of the councillors agreed with the CAO’s proposal, while Coun. Dan McGrath pointed out that there was a time not so long ago when virtual attendance was at its height.
“We used that during COVID and I don’t know why we ever went back,” McGrath said.
“We all get ill. We all get sick and pick up viruses -- you don’t want to bring it to a meeting and get everyone else sick. There’s lots of good reasons.”
Evans also pointed out that the municipal act allows councillors to miss meetings without consent in response to concerns that amendments to the procedural by-law could hypothetically be abused.
Council ultimately agreed that up to four councillors may be virtually present at a time.
Evans said she would bring drafted amendments to Schreiber’s next regular council meeting.