HomeMy WebLinkAboutADM 250 Pregnancy and Parental Leaves for Members of Council
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PJ(KERJNG Policy
Procedure Title: Pregnancy and Parental Leaves for Members of
Council
Policy Number
ADM 250
Reference
Municipal Act, 2001
Date Originated (m/d/y)
May 1, 2023
Date Revised (m/d/y) Pages
3
Approval: Chief Administrative Officer Point of Contact
City Clerk
Director, Human Resources
Policy Objective
The Corporation of the City of Pickering (the “City”) recognizes a Member of Council’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 as required by and in accordance with Sections 259 and 270 of the Municipal
Act, 2001(the “Act”)
This Policy shall provide guidance on how the City addresses a Member’s Pregnancy/Parental
Leave in a manner that respects a Member’s rights as an individual and their statutory role as an
elected representative. In accordance with Sections 259 and 270 of the Act, this Policy applies to
Members of Council during their Pregnancy/Parental Leave and only during the time the Member
is a sitting Member of Council.
Index
01 Definitions
02 Procedures
03 Responsibilities
01 Definitions
01.01 Committee – means any Board, Advisory Committee or Taskforce of Council,
any external body, or local board not established by Council and any internal
working group of an administrative nature.
01.02 Council – means the Council of The Corporation of the City of Pickering.
01.03 Members of Council (“Member”) – means the sitting Mayor and any Member
of Council for the duration of their term in office.
01.04 Pregnancy/Parental Leave – an absence of 20 consecutive weeks or less as a
result of a Member’s pregnancy, the birth of the Member’s child or the adoption
of a child by the Member in accordance with Section 259(1.1) of the Act.
02 Procedures
02.01 The City supports a Member’s right to Pregnancy/Parental Leave in keeping
with the following principles:
a) A Member is elected to represent their constituents.
b) A Member’s Pregnancy/Parental Leave does not require Council approval
and their office cannot be declared vacant as a result of the Leave.
c) A Member will continue to receive all communications entitled to them from
the City as if the Member were not on Pregnancy/Parental Leave.
d) A Member reserves the right to participate as an active Member of Council
at any time during their Pregnancy/Parental Leave.
e) A Member shall continue to receive all remuneration, reimbursements and
benefits afforded to all Members of Council.
f) Where the Member on Pregnancy/Parental Leave is also a Regional
representative (i.e. a Regional Councillor or Mayor), the provisions
contained in the Region of Durham’s Policy for Pregnancy and Parental
Leaves for Members of Regional Council shall be applicable as it pertains
to the Member’s role at the Region, however, the administrative process
for remuneration from the City shall remain unchanged.
03 Responsibilities
03.01 Where a Member will be absent due to a Pregnancy/Parental Leave, the
Member shall provide written notice to the City Clerk and Director, Human
Resources, prior to the commencement of the Leave, indicating the expected
start and end dates. The Member shall inform same of any changes pertaining
to the end date by giving at least five business days notice.
03.02 Council may make temporary appointments to any Committee to cover the
Member’s Pregnancy/Parental Leave if the Member is the only Member of
Council appointed to that Committee. Any appointments shall be made in
accordance with Policy ADM 045, Council Appointments to Committees.
03.03 Council may appoint a temporary alternate Member to the Region of Durham’s
Council to act in place of the Member on Pregnancy/Parental Leave, and such
appointment shall be made in accordance with Sections 267 and 268 of the
Municipal Act and will be in place for the duration of the Pregnancy/Parental
Leave.
Policy Title: Pregnancy and Parental Leaves for Members of Council Page 2 of 3
Policy Number: ADM 250
03.04 Temporary appointments shall cease on the date of the Member’s return, as
provided by the Member in accordance with Section 03.01 of this Policy.
03.05 Members of Council and City staff are responsible for adhering to the
parameters of this Policy.
03.06 Staff are authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect to
this Policy.
03.07 The City Clerk, or their designate, are delegated the authority to make
administrative changes to this Policy that may be required from time to time due
to legislative changes or amendments that do not significantly change the intent
of the Policy.
Policy Title: Pregnancy and Parental Leaves for Members of Council Page 3 of 3
Policy Number: ADM 250