York Region council planning return to chambers after 2 years away

Newmarkettoday.ca
March 25, 2022

York Regional council is eyeing a partial return to in-person meetings for the first time in two years as is passed a motion for hybrid March 24.

Councillors agreed to proceed on a “blended” approach for at least the May and June meetings, allowing members to attend in person or remotely based on their preference. However, the exact details and format will be discussed again in April.

Vaughan Regional Councillor Linda Jackson said it is about giving councillors a choice based on their comfort levels.

“It’s not that it’s one or another,” Jackson said. “You decide yourself what you wish to do.”

York Region council has met electronically since the pandemic began, even in periods when health measures were lifted. Some municipal councils have already started on a hybrid approach, including Newmarket, Aurora and Richmond Hill, though others have also stuck with electronic.

Newmarket Deputy Mayor Tom Vegh said he would like to return to some in-person meetings, noting there are only 10 per year.

“I don’t think 10 council meetings is a hardship for anyone. We all know the value of meeting in person. It's very, very different than Zoom,” Vegh said.

The staff report said electronic meetings have significantly increased public participation. Web streams garnered 14,224 viewers in the 14 months before the pandemic, compared to 35,449 in the first 14 months after the pandemic began. Deputations also increased between those two time periods, from 56 to 202.

Newmarket Mayor John Taylor said he is OK with hybrid in the short term, but that allowing the public to participate electronically at council meetings should become a more permanent fixture.

“That should be foundational,” he said.

Staff recommended a “structured” hybrid where some meetings would be entirely in-person while others would be electronic to make it easier to manage. A report said a "blended" approach could create issues when meeting attendance is increased and create inconsistency for councillors attending remotely versus in person.

Whitchurch-Stouffville Mayor lain Lovatt said after testing positive for COVID-19 March 23, he would like to keep hybrid options open rather than be unable to attend should circumstances arise.

“I’ve got flu-like symptoms, but I’m able to participate because I have that option,” he said. “I wouldn’t want to support a recommendation that would limit my participation when I am able.”

The Town of Newmarket has said its meetings would return to hybrid starting March 28, after winter COVID-19 measures kept them electronic.