Qualicum Beach town council is unsure whether it will go back to in-person meetings in September, after it returns from a month-long break.
At council’s last regular council meeting before taking August off, Coun. Anne Skipsey asked town staff if there is any reason councillors will not be in the same room in September.
Mayor Brian Wiese said staff will prepare a report with statistics showing residents reached through online meetings. Bill 10, the Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendment Act, allows municipal councils to continue meeting virtually.
“I think comments we were getting was people can see us and hear us much better than they ever could in chamber,” Wiese said. “I miss the room, I like being in there but if we are hitting more people we will wait to see what happens.”
He said council could continue online, return to in-person with reduced capacity or implement a hybrid of them. “To make a motion to go back in September, I wouldn’t support,” he said, adding there is a lot of discussion to have before making a decision.
Daniel Sailland, the town’s chief administrative officer, said he will aim to have the report complete for council’s Sept. 8 meeting, which will be held virtually.
