BYLAW - Procedure Bylaw Electronic Participation Amend 622819 - 20200825 - 627520The Corporation of the Town of Aurora
By-law Number 6275-20
Being a By-law to amend By-law Number 6228-19, as amended, to govern
the proceedings of Council and Committee meetings of the Town of Aurora.
Whereas under subsection 238 (2) of the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c. 25, as
amended (the "Municipal Act, 2001"), every municipality and local board shall pass a
procedure by-law for governing the calling, place and proceedings of meetings;
And whereas on December 10, 2019, the Council of The Corporation of the Town of
Aurora (the "Town") enacted By-law Number 6228-19, being a by-law to govern
proceedings at Council and Committee meetings;
And whereas on March 19, 2020 the Province of Ontario enacted the Bill 187,
Municipal Emergency Act, 2020 to amend the Municipal Act, 2001 to permit meetings to
be held electronically during an emergency declared pursuant to the Emergency
Management and Civil Protection Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. E.9, as amended;
And whereas on March 31, 2020, the Council of the Town enacted By-law Number
6246-20 to amend By-law Number 6228-19, to provide that, during emergencies, should
they choose to, members of council who participate electronically in open and closed
meetings may be counted for purposes of quorum;
And whereas on May 26, 2020, the Council of the Town enacted By-law Number 6258-
20 to amend By-law Number 6228-19, to provide that, during emergencies, should they
choose to, members of local boards and committees who participate electronically in
open and closed meetings may be counted for purposes of quorum;
And whereas on July 21, 2020, the Province of Ontario enacted Bill 197,COVID-19
Economic Recovery Act, 2020, to amend several provisions of the Municipal Act, 2001
in response to COVID-19, to provide that a member of council, of a local board or of a
committee of either of them, can participate electronically in a meeting to the extent and
in the manner set out in the procedure by-law;
And whereas the Council of the Town deems it necessary and expedient to further
amend By-law Number 6228-19, as amended, to allow and provide for electronic
participation in meetings;
Now therefore the Council of The Corporation of the Town of Aurora hereby enacts
as follows:
1. By-law Numbers 6246-20 and 6258-20 be and are hereby repealed.
2. Section 19 of By-law Number 6228-19, as amended, be and is hereby amended
by adding the following section:
"i) Electronic Participation
i) Any Member may participate electronically in a Meeting that is open
to the public or in Closed Session.
ii) Any Member who is participating electronically in a Meeting shall be
counted in determining whether or not a Quorum is present at any
point in time during the Meeting.
By-law Number 6275-20 Page 2 of 2
iii) For staffing and scheduling purposes, any Council Member who is
participating electronically in a General Committee or Council
Meeting shall notify the Clerk, at least twenty-four (24) hours prior
to the General Committee or Council Meeting.
iv) Delegates may participate electronically in a Meeting, by
completing and submitting an Electronic Delegation Request
Form to clerks@aurora.ca, in accordance with the Delegation
protocols and submission deadlines outlined in this by-law.
v) A Member who participates electronically in a Meeting shall have
the same rights and responsibilities as if they were in physical
attendance, including the right to vote.
vi) Electronic participation in a Meeting shall be conducted by way of
electronic means, including, but not limited to, audio
teleconference, video teleconference, or by means of the internet,
following instructions provided by the Clerk in order to ensure that a
Meeting may proceed in the most transparent and successful
manner under the current timelines and circumstances."
Enacted by Town of Aurora Council this 25th day of August, 2020
Mrakas, Mayor
Ldlz
Michael de Rond, Town Clerk