The Calgary Committee approves rules for remote participation by councillors

If new rule changes are adopted in the coming months, the ability of elected officials to participate remotely in council and committee meetings will be limited.

Calgary's committee voted in favor of the new guidelines Tuesday afternoon, and the proposal will now be discussed at full council.

“There's an argument that we have a lot of jobs right now,” Kuhn said. Jasmine Mian, 3rd Ward Representative.

“I think it's important to look at it in context, we're meant to represent the public, so we need to have a reasonable debate about what the right measures are.”

If the bylaw changes are passed, it would mean councilors would have to make “best efforts” to attend any and all council meetings in person.

Additionally, the bylaw states that a member may participate remotely if the city's ethics counsel presents a valid reason under the Alberta Human Rights Act.

Changes to the new bylaws were proposed by Calgary's Office of Integrity and Ethics, but Coun. Mian added amendments to the proposal.

Mian, who gave birth in the summer, says there needs to be some flexibility for people who can't always stay for every appointment.

“I have a four-month-old at home, and sometimes when our dates get late, I might have to go out to be with him,” she said.

“So it allows for flexibility, but still keeps the fences in place so it expects you to be there when you can.”

City officials said the policy discussion was not prompted by any specific case, but it was introduced months after Cons. Dan McLean was sanctioned for remotely attending a meeting on the golf course.

McLean voted in favor of the proposed new rules.

As part of the guidelines, remote counselors must be in a secure location and have their camera on at all times during sessions.

Although the committee recommends changes, the full council must discuss and vote on them before they become law.