A new set of regulations applicable to Calgary city council members who wish to work remotely will be announced in the coming week.
Council is scheduled to decide on a change that will permit them to listen for debates at times.
The new rules are designed to finding a compromise between councillors’ work schedules as well as the requirement for the fullest attention to the debate.
Councillors receive $120,000 each year. This is a pay which comes with a lot of demands.
“Really lengthy days 12-hour days, 10 o’clock in the evening, typically several days in a row,” Coun. Jasmine Mian said.
Mian is the first city councilor ever to have a baby during her term, and she’s in favor of stricter requirements for virtual attendance, however she would like exemptions that are based on circumstances protected by the Charter.
“It’s not about just me or my circumstance. It’s just a matter of considering anyone else,” she said.
Changes proposed by the council will require those who are remote to attend at a separate location with their camera turned on, without a background while ensuring compliance by the city’s ethics officer.
In December of this year, Coun. Dan McLean was censured after the council member missed voting while remote working on the golf course.
The rules seem to be an attempt to address the incident.
“Well I went to an event in the industry with councillors. I had a conversation with industry leaders regarding homebuilders and our affordable housing crisis. I then joined to the next meeting,” McLean said.
The need for a change in the law is justifiable by a political observer for the purpose of preventing any abuse of the system.
“That choice should be available however the councillor did not work at his home. He was on an area on the golf course. He was at the golf course for recreation time.” Keith Brownsey said.
Mian intends to bring amending the bill at Tuesday’s session.
“I am the very first woman with a child when I am in office, and it’s because of one reason. It’s because this job isn’t widely easily accessible. So I’m thinking about how we can create a city hall looks and behaves like our constituents,” Mian said.
Mian is determined to ensure that pregnant women, those with impairments, or any other health problems do not get a nudge from consideration by council.
She is of the opinion that there is merit to face-to-face meetings as well as remote meetings must never be standardhowever, she is concerned about overly wide-ranging limitations.
Source: https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/new-remote-work-rules-for-calgary-city-councillors-up-for-vote-1.6766469
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