4275 Schedule A - Policy 2-011 Pregnancy & Parental Leave for Members of Council PolicyCOUNCIL
PREGNANCY & PARENTAL LEAVE FOR MEMBERS OF
COUNCIL POLICY
T~ Policy Number 2-011
Approval Date Revision Date
Schedules
A. POLICY STATEMENT
The Town of Tillsonburg recognizes a Council Member's right to take leave for the Member's
pregnancy, the birth of the Member's child or the adoption of a child by the Member in
accordance with the Municipal Act, 2001 .
B. PURPOSE
This policy establishes guidelines on how the Town of Tillsonburg manages a Council Member's
pregnancy or parental leave in a manner that respects a Member's statutory role as an elected
official.
C. SCOPE
This policy applies to any elected official of Tillsonburg Town Council in need of taking a
pregnancy or parental leave. An elected official of the Town of Tillsonburg includes the Mayor,
Deputy Mayor and Councillors.
D. AUTHORITY
Section 270 of the Municipal Act, 2001 , as revised by Bill 68, requires municipalities to adopt
and maintain a policy with respect to the pregnancy and parental leaves for Members of Council.
The Town Clerk shall be responsible for monitoring the application of this policy and for receiving
complaints and/or concerns related to this policy.
E. POLICY
Council Members are permitted an absence of 20 consecutive weeks or less as a result of a
Member's pregnancy, the birth of a Member's child or the adoption of a child by the Member in
accordance with the Municipal Act, 2001 . A Council Member has the right to return to their
regular duties prior to 20 consecutive weeks of an absence if they desire.
Tillsonburg Town Council supports a Member of Council's right to pregnancy and/or parental
leave in keeping with the following principles:
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COUNCIL
PREGNANCY & PARENTAL LEAVE FOR MEMBERS OF COUNCIL POLICY
Policy Number I 2-011
1. A Member of Council is elected to represent the interests of Tillson burg citizens.
2. A Member's pregnancy and/or parental leave does not require Council approval and their
office cannot be declared vacant as a result of the leave.
3. A Member of Council on pregnancy and/or parental leave shall reserve the right to exercise
his or her delegated authority at any time during their leave.
Council Members are encouraged to submit a written notification to the Town Clerk as soon as
possible before taking pregnancy or parental leave so that the Town can plan accordingly.
Where a Council Member must begin their leave immediately due to unforeseen circumstances,
such as illness or complications caused by pregnancy, they must inform the Town Clerk of this
absence as soon as possible.
While on leave, the Council Member shall still be counted as part of quorum during roll call for
any regular or special Council Meetings.
Regular benefit and insurance premiums will be paid during the leave. Remuneration for
attending meetings will remain in place while the Member is on leave and returns to their regular
schedule of attendance at meetings.
Notwithstanding, at any point in time during a Member's pregnancy or parental leave, the
Member reserves the right to exercise his/her statutory role on matters within the Town. The
Member shall provide written notice to the Town Clerk of their intent to exercise their statutory
role.
There will be no delegation of authority as the Town of Tillsonburg does not operate using a
ward system but rather Council is elected at large to represent the interests of the municipality
as a whole. Another member shall be appointed on a temporary basis to fill the role of the
member on leave for Boards and Committees
In the event, the Member on leave is the Mayor then these additional office-specific
responsibilities shall be delegated to the Deputy Mayor until the Member returns.
In the event, the Member on leave is the Deputy Mayor then those additional responsibilities
shall be delegated to another Council Member (voted by the remainder of Council Members)
until the regular Member returns.
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