Council has passed three readings on a bylaw that would enable elected officials on parental or maternity leave to collect pay.
On Nov. 2, elected officials unanimously voted in favour of an adjustment to the municipality’s remuneration and expenses bylaw. It’s expected to be adopted in the near future.
Coun. Jenna Stoner was absent, as she is on maternity leave.
Previously, in 2019, council voted in favour of a policy that would enable elected officials to have paid time off and benefits if they were to have a child or adopt a child.
However, this year, as Stoner took maternity leave, officials found out that it was necessary to also amend the District’s remuneration bylaw to make sure the policy had its desired effect.
“It’s something that was missed at the time, and we realized in the summer that we needed to add this to the bylaw,” said Charlene Pawluk, the District’s manager of legislative services.
Mayor Karen Elliott expressed thanks to Stoner for showing where it was necessary “to dot the I’s and cross the T’s.”
The policy enables full remuneration for maternity or parental leave for up to six months, following the birth or adoption of a child. Council members will continue to receive their District healthcare benefits, and those benefits will continue to be paid by the District during all periods of leave.
