Item - 2020.EX15.21
Tracking Status
- City Council adopted this item on July 28, 2020 with amendments.
- This item was considered by the Executive Committee on July 21, 2020 and adopted without amendment. It will be considered by City Council on July 28, 2020.
- See also By-law 649-2020
EX15.21 - Impact of Bill 197 on Meeting Rules
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Amended
- Wards:
- All
City Council Decision
City Council on July 28 and 29, 2020, adopted the following:
1. City Council extend the electronic participation rules applicable only during a declared emergency currently contained in Municipal Code Chapter 27, Council Procedures, for a period of one year following the later of the termination of the Provincial emergency or the termination of the municipal emergency.
2. City Council extend the electronic participation rules applicable only during a declared emergency currently contained in the Simplified Rules for Advisory Bodies for a period of one year following the later of the termination of the Provincial emergency or the termination of the municipal emergency.
3. City Council authorize its local boards to extend or adopt remote electronic meeting rules for a period of one year following the later of the termination of the Provincial emergency or the termination of the municipal emergency.
4. City Council review the rules for electronic meetings for City Council and its local boards before the expiry of the recommended extensions.
5. City Council request the City Clerk to report to the October 21, 2020 Executive Committee meeting with options for Council to consider with respect to proxies.
6. City Council approve the revised September to December 2020 schedule of meetings in Attachment 1 to the supplementary report (July 22, 2020) from the City Clerk.
7. City Council request its agencies and special purpose bodies to adjust their fall schedules to avoid dates that conflict with the revised calendar.
Public Notice Given
Background Information (Committee)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2020/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-150554.pdf
(July 14, 2020) Public Notice - Impact of Bill 197 on Meeting Rules
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2020/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-150654.pdf
Background Information (City Council)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2020/cc/bgrd/backgroundfile-153394.pdf
Attachment 1 - Revised 2020 Fall Schedule of Meetings
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2020/cc/bgrd/backgroundfile-153395.pdf
Motions (City Council)
That in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 27, Council Procedures, City Council reconsider Item EX15.21.
That City Council adopt the following recommendations in the supplementary report (July 22, 2020) from the City Clerk [EX15.21a]:
1. City Council approve the revised September to December 2020 schedule of meetings in Attachment 1 to the report (July 22, 2020) from the City Clerk.
2. City Council request its agencies and special purpose bodies to adjust their fall schedules to avoid dates that conflict with the revised calendar.
EX15.21 - Impact of Bill 197 on Meeting Rules
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Adopted
- Wards:
- All
Public Notice Given
Committee Recommendations
The Executive Committee recommends that effective from the date that Bill 197 is passed and proclaimed:
1. City Council extend the electronic participation rules applicable only during a declared emergency currently contained in Municipal Code Chapter 27, Council Procedures, for a period of one year following the later of the termination of the Provincial emergency or the termination of the municipal emergency.
2. City Council extend the electronic participation rules applicable only during a declared emergency currently contained in the Simplified Rules for Advisory Bodies for a period of one year following the later of the termination of the Provincial emergency or the termination of the municipal emergency.
3. City Council authorize its local boards to extend or adopt remote electronic meeting rules for a period of one year following the later of the termination of the Provincial emergency or the termination of the municipal emergency.
4. City Council review the rules for electronic meetings for City Council and its local boards before the expiry of the recommended extensions.
5. City Council request the City Clerk to report to the October 2020 Executive Committee meeting with options for Council to consider with respect to proxies.
Origin
Summary
The Province has introduced legislation that would allow City Council (a) to make remote meeting participation for Council and local boards permanent and (b) to allow Members of Council to act by proxy during meetings.
City Council should extend the current electronic meeting rules for itself and local boards for a period of one year following the termination of provincial and municipal emergencies. This would give Council more experience with these types of meetings to help decide whether to decide if it wishes to make the rules permanent.
City Council should also decide if it wishes to opt-in to the proxy provisions, and if so, direct the City Clerk to report on the implementation options.
Amendments to the Council Procedures require the approval of two-thirds of Members present and voting.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2020/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-150554.pdf
(July 14, 2020) Public Notice - Impact of Bill 197 on Meeting Rules
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2020/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-150654.pdf