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Sooke amending bylaw to allow online council meetings to continue

First three readings given to amendments of council procedure bylaw
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Sooke councillors have moved to make the availability of electronic participation permanent at council meetings. (YouTube)

Sooke council has made the first moves to keep its meetings electronic.

During their Jan. 24 meeting, councillors gave the first three readings to a procedure amendment bylaw covering electronic meetings and electronic participation in council meetings.

The changes are needed to allow for regular meetings of council, committee meetings and committee-of-the-whole meetings to be held entirely electronically.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sooke moved to electronic council meetings in spring 2020. Later, as some restrictions relaxed, council members could attend in person.

The province recently amended the Community Charter allowing local governments to hold electronic meetings.

The new rules will allow up to four council members to attend meetings electronically. If a natural disaster was to occur, such as a COVID outbreak or council chambers were unavailable, all of council could hold a meeting electronically.

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Kevin Laird

About the Author: Kevin Laird

It's my passion to contribute to the well-being of the community by connecting people through the power of reliable news and storytelling.
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