Legislative History: Adopted March 26, 2019 (By-law No. CPOL.-388-95
Last Review Date: July 25, 2023
Service Area Lead: City Clerk
1. Policy Statement
This Policy establishes a process to recognize a Member of Council’s ability to take pregnancy and parental leave without a Council motion in accordance with Subsections 259 (1.1) and 270 (1) of the Municipal Act, 2001 , S.O. 2001, c. 25 and to provide for delegated authority that would allow legislative and administrative matters to be addressed in a manner that is consistent with the Council Member’s wishes while they are on leave.
2. Definitions
None.
3. Applicability
This Policy applies to all Members of Council.
4. The Policy
Any Member of Council shall provide the City Clerk written notice of an absence of 20 consecutive weeks or less as a result of the Member’s pregnancy, the birth of the Member’s child or the adoption of a child by the Member in accordance with Subsections 259 (1.1) and 270 (1) of the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c. 25.
The written notice shall contain the following information:
a) an indication of the Member(s) of Council whom they wish to delegate the authority to undertake their Ward responsibility during their absence; and
b) an indication of the Member(s) of Council whom they recommend Council appoint as a Member of any Committee(s) on which the Councillor sits, on an interim basis for the duration of their absence; and
c) a recommendation to Council that the City Clerk be delegated the authority to approve the payment of costs from their expense account arising from routine expenses, in consultation with the Member(s) of Council to whom delegation has been given in accordance with a) above, and in accordance with the Council Members’ Expense Account Policy, if there is sufficient funds in the expense account to do so.
When such written notice is provided, the City Clerk shall forward the written notice for Council consideration immediately following the City Clerk’s receipt of the written notice.