HomeMy WebLinkAboutCS 42-09
Ctrs REPORT TO THE
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
PICKERING Report Number: CS 42-09
Date: November 9, 2009
01
From: Gillis Paterson
Director, Corporate Services & Treasurer
Subject: Solemnization of Marriages
Recommendation.-
1. . That Report CS 42-09 of the Director, Corporate Services & Treasurer be
received;
2. That the City Clerk or the Clerk's designate, be authorized to undertake, at their
discretion, the performance of a civil marriage ceremony at locations and times
outside the parameters set out in By-law 6605/05;
3. That the attached draft by-law be forwarded to Council authorizing the City Clerk
and the appropriate delegated person(s), as permitted, to solemnize civil
marriages as provided in the Marriage Act and. Regulations thereto;
4. That the appropriate officials of the City of Pickering be authorized to take the
necessary actions to give effect thereto.
Executive Summary:
On December 19, 2005, the Council of the City of Pickering passed By-law 6605/05 to
allow for the performance of Civil Marriage ceremonies at City Hall, Monday through
Friday by the City Clerk and Deputy Clerk. Further to By-law 6605/05 being
implemented the Clerks Division have had numerous requests to perform marriage
ceremonies in various places other than City Hall. Further to these requests we. are
recommending an amendment to the by-law to allow, at the City Clerks discretion,
approval to provide marriage ceremonies at other venues outside the parameters stated
in By-law 6605/05.
Financial Implications:
No financial implications.
Report CS 42-09 November 9, 2009
Solemnization of Marriages Page 2
62
Sustainability Implications:
The City of Pickering is committed to meeting the needs of all its citizens. Reviewing
and updating by-laws is one way to continually assess our service delivery and remove,
barriers where they exist.
Background:
On September 24, 2004, the Minister of Consumer and Business Services announced
changes to regulations under the Marriage Act that authorized Municipal Clerks,
including Deputy Clerks, to perform civil marriages.
Since the passing of By-law 6605/05 the City of Pickering has performed 170 civil
ceremonies. During the 4 years that we have been performing civil marriage
ceremonies we have had numerous requests to perform marriage ceremonies for staff,
family members, friends and citizens during days, times and at places that are not within
the by-law parameters.
Due to the-numerous requests, the popularity of our marriage commissioners and the
fact that other municipalities also provide this service, we are requesting that, at the City
Clerk's discretion, the City of Pickering's marriage commissioners be allowed to perform .
civil marriage ceremonies for times, dates and places other than the parameters set out
in By-law 6605/05. We are. also requesting that the fee for a marriage ceremony
outside of City Hall and not during business hours be increased to $350.00. The City of
Pickering would continue to receive $250.00 for the service fee and the additional
$100.00 would be paid to the person who solemnized the ceremony. The additional
$100.00 fee would compensate the marriage commissioners, for their time and mileage
since the ceremony would be conducted off site and not during office hours. The
marriage commissioner can also waive the $100.00 fee at their discretion.
Marriage Commissioner's approved to provide this service in the City of Pickering are in
favour of the change being requested and feel that the extension of this service
provides good customer service and will draw additional revenue to the City by
increasing times and places for civil ceremonies.
Attachments:
1. Draft By-law to. Provide for Civil Marriage Services
Report CS 42-09 November 9, 2009
Solemnization of Marriages Page 3 03
i
Prepared By: Approved / Endorsed By:
Debi A. Wilcox Gillis A. Paterson
City Clerk Director, Corporate Services & Treasurer
Copy: Chief Administrative Officer
Recommended for the consider 'on of
Pickering City nc y 1 r/
T m s J. Q i , Chef dministra ' e Offi r
ATTACHMEN1 ~I i2EPURT# CS
n®fc
O 4 THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF PICKERING
BY-LAW NO. /09
Being a by-law to provide for Civil Marriage
Services to be offered by the City of
Pickering.
WHEREAS on December 19, 2005, the Council of the Corporation of the City of
Pickering passed By-law 6605/05 to "opt in" to providing civil marriage services;
AND WHEREAS By-law 6605/05 states that civil marriage services will be provided
Monday to Friday in the Council Chambers, Pickering Civic Complex, One The
Esplanade, Pickering;
AND WHEREAS the Municipal Clerk has received requests to perform civil marriage
services outside the parameters set by By-law 6605/05:
NOW THEREFORE BE IT ENACTED:
1. THAT the Municipal Clerk is permitted to approve civil marriage ceremonies at
locations and times outside the parameters set by By-law 6605/05;
2. THAT the Municipal Clerk and the appropriate delegated person(s), as permitted,
be authorized to solemnize civil marriages as provided in the Marriage Act and
Regulations thereto; and
3. THAT the fee fora civil marriage ceremony conducted outside the parameters set
by By-law 6605/05 be $350.00
BY-LAW read a.first, second and third time and finally passed this 16th day of
November, 2009.
David Ryan, Mayor
Debi A. Wilcox, City Clerk