Squamish can add itself to the very short list of B.C. municipalities that have formalized parental and maternity leave policies for elected officials.
Just prior council's adoption of the measure, a District staff report said that provincewide, they found that only Whistler has such a policy.
Squamish's initiative was made In order to attract younger politicians in future elections.
"We are a younger demographic in Squamish, and I don't want people to opt out of running for public office, simply because they feel that they can't fulfill their dreams of having a family," Mayor Karen Elliott said.
On June 4, council voted unanimously in favour of a policy that would give those sitting on council paid parental and maternity leave for up to six months. Elected officials will also continue to receive benefits while on leave.
Leave is available to anyone who's giving birth or adopting a child, as well as anyone partnered with someone giving birth or adopting a child, regardless of family status or gender.
The member of council will not be replaced during their absence.
Officials will also be able to resume the appointments and designations they had before taking leave once they come back.
Even if on leave, council members may choose to participate in meetings at their discretion.
Elliott said that municipalities are the only level of government that don't have parental or maternity leave rights.
This was highlighted in 2016 when the Union of BC Municipalities called for the province to amend the Local Government Act and Community Charter to grant municipal politicians the same rights of maternity and parental leave found in the B.C. Employment Standards Act.
Absent a change in provincial legislation, municipalities can craft their own individual measures.
"The intent of this policy is to mirror what employees would be entitled to under all of the different legislations for a maternity or parental leave," said Robin Arthurs, the general manager of corporate services.
Staff say this policy won't cost anything, as council members' salaries and benefits are already budgeted.
However, there could be challenges with respect to council's voting.
Because those on leave wouldn't be replaced, there may be tied votes. Furthermore, in some cases where recusals lessen the number of councillors, there may not be enough members to vote on some matters.
