The City Council of Côte Saint-Luc unanimously adopted a resolution on Monday, April 11 to ask the Quebec government to allow council members to attend meetings remotely, such as via video conference software.
Watch the adoption of the resolution.
From March 2020 to March 2022, the Quebec government allowed municipal council members to take part in meetings remotely. In the case of the City Council of Côte Saint-Luc, council members held meetings using the Zoom videoconference software, which was then livestreamed to YouTube. The public was able to submit via e-mail their questions for Question Period. At the meeting of April 11, the public would register to ask questions remotely via Zoom.
The meeting of April 11, 2022, was the first one held in the Council Chamber at City Hall since the start of the pandemic.
The request to allow remote/in-person hybrid meetings is consistent with the City’s goal of creating ways to allow those with health risks to participate in municipal life. The City continues to offer remote programming at the Côte Saint-Luc Public Library and Parks and Recreation Department. It is also studying ways to create spaces in municipal buildings that are lower risk. The goal is to ensure no one is left out as the world opens up again.
Quotations
“The last 24 months has demonstrated how videoconference tools allow elected officials to do the people’s business from anywhere. While in-person meetings are now required again, the City Council believes Quebec law should be amended to permit elected officials to participate remotely. Elected officials with underlying medical issues shouldn’t have to decide whether to put their council job ahead of their health.” – Mayor Mitchell Brownstein