A special committee meeting of North Bay City Council will be held today at 5:30pm.
Reports will be received from staff on a review of the development charges rate and a request for a quotation for a new training facility for North Bay Fire and Emergency Services.
Two reports from city clerk Karen McIsaac have to do with the municipal procedural by-laws, specifically pregnancy and parental leave for City Councillors.
Councillor Tanya Vrebosch is expecting and is due while she will still be a sitting councillor.
The reports on pregnancy and parental leave will address the proper procedures to be taken, in accordance with Bill 68.
According to the bill, also known as the Modernizing Ontario’s Municipal Legislation Act, 2017:
Ontario is increasing fairness and reducing barriers, by ensuring that members are entitled to take time off for pregnancy or parental leave, without fear of being removed from elected office on municipal councils and school boards.
While some municipalities currently have either formal or informal policies on this matter, upon proclamation, municipalities would be required to have a policy on pregnancy and parental leave for council members. A similar policy is also required for school board trustees.
The offices of members of council and school boards would be protected during an absence related to pregnancy, birth or the adoption of a member’s child for up to 20 consecutive weeks.
