This is the exact embedded text of the captured official document.
Snapshot b48c714ee020 · verified 2026-06-05 ·
original document ·
archived snapshot ·
unofficial consolidation, the official version is held by the municipal clerk.
1
POLICY #2022-04-57
MUNICIPALITY OF THE COUNTY OF PICTOU
COUNCIL VIDEOCONFERENCING POLICY
1.
This policy is entitled the "Council Videoconferencing Policy".
2.
The procedural requirements in this Policy are intended to complement and
supplement, and not to replace, the requirements contained in
(1)
the Municipal Government Act; and
(2)
the Municipality's Council Meetings and Council Proceedings
Policies.
3.
In this Policy, unless the context otherwise requires,
(1)
"Council" means the Council of the Municipality of the County of
Pictou;
(2)
"Council member(s)" include(s) the Warden; and
(3)
"meeting" means a regular or special meeting of Council. Public
Notice
4.
A council meeting or council committee meeting may be conducted by
videoconference if, at least two days prior to the meeting, notice is given to the
public respecting the way in which the meeting is to be conducted;
5.
The notice to the public referred to in section 4 must be given by:
(1)
publication in a newspaper circulating in the municipality;
(2)
posting on the Municipality of the County of Pictou's publicly
accessible Internet site and in at least five conspicuous places in
the municipality; or
(3)
such other method permitted by regulation.
6.
Notwithstanding section 5, where the Warden determines that there is an
emergency, a meeting may be conducted by videoconference without notice or
with such notice as is possible in the circumstances.
2
All Council members attend by videoconference
7.
The Clerk may require all Council members to appear at a meeting by
videoconference if each Council member and the Municipality of the County of
Pictou have videoconferencing equipment available that will:
(1)
enable the public to see and hear each Council member participate
in the meeting by videoconference;
(2)
enable each Council member to see and hear every other Council
member participate in the meeting by videoconference. One or
more Council members attend by videoconference
8.
Except as provided in section 7, Council members must attend Council meetings
in person or, if approved by the Clerk pursuant to section 9, one or more Council
members may appear at a meeting by videoconference.
9.
Subject to the other provisions of this Policy, the Clerk shall grant permission to
a Council member to participate in a meeting, or part of a meeting, by
videoconference if:
(1)
prior to the meeting, the Council member provides written notice to
the Clerk indicating that the Council member wishes to attend the
meeting by videoconference;
(2)
the Council member has not participated in more than 2 meetings
by videoconference in the preceding 12 months in addition to
meetings in which all Council members participated by
videoconference;
(3)
the Council member has videoconferencing equipment available
that will:
(a)
enable the public to see and hear the Council member
participate in the meeting by videoconference; and
(b)
enable the Council member to see and hear each of the
Council members who are attending the Council Meeting by
videoconference or in person.
(4)
the Municipality of the County of Pictou has videoconferencing
equipment available that will:
3
(a)
enable the public to see and hear the Council member
participate in the meeting by videoconference;
(b)
enable the Council member to see and hear each of the
Council members who are attending the Council Meeting by
videoconference or in person; and
(c)
enable every Council member who is attending the meeting
by videoconference or in person to see and hear all other
Council members who are attending the meeting by
videoconference or in person.
10.
Any Council member participating by videoconference in a meeting shall be
deemed to be:
(1)
present at those parts of the meeting in which a Council member
is permitted to participate by videoconference under this Policy;
and
(2)
absent for any parts of the meeting in which a Council member is
not permitted to participate by videoconference under this Policy.
11.
The Clerk shall not grant permission to a Council member to participate by
videoconference in any of the following:
(1)
any part of a meeting during which the issue under discussion will
be decided by a vote held by secret ballot;
(2)
a vote held by secret ballot.
Technological problems - failure to connect or disconnection
12.
If technological problems prevent a Council member from participating in a
meeting prior to the meeting commencing, the Council member shall be marked
absent from the meeting.
13.
If a Council member becomes disconnected from the meeting due to technical
problems or other reasons, the minutes shall reflect that the Council member left
the meeting at the time of the disconnection.
14.
This Policy applies to committees established by Council, with such changes as
the context requires.
15.
Council may, by the unanimous affirmative vote of all the members present at
such meeting, suspend any section of this policy.
4
REPEAL
16.
All former policies and/or practices with respect to videoconferencing are hereby
repealed.