When the pandemic situation is over, United Counties of Prescott and Russell (UCPR) mayors will be able to participate in counties council meetings electronically, but under specific circumstances.
Mayors and UCPR staff have been conducting meetings by video or by teleconference since March, due to pandemic-related restrictions.
When UCPR council met on August 26, it unanimously approved a by-law that will allow mayors to participate in meetings electronically only in the event of medical reasons or a public health crisis once the present restrictions due to the pandemic have ended.
Representation at UCPR council and committee meetings has always been in-person, but Ontario’s emergency measures legislation allows for municipal councillors to participate electronically, but the Municipal Act does not contain any guidelines for doing so.
UCPR Council will not permit proxy voting where a mayor could designate another member of their municipal council to vote on their behalf.
