On Monday, council agreed to give further reading to bylaw amendments related to extended health benefits for the 2022-2026 council term.
The amendments included aligning the extended benefits with best practices laid out by the BC Urban Mayors’ Caucus (BCUMC) in an effort to reflect and compensate elected officials for the time needed to perform their duties.
A few text amendments clarified that all members of council will be able to participate in the benefit package with the premiums paid for by the city. They can choose to enter into the program in its entirety or they can choose not to participate, given that they receive benefits from other employment.
Councilor Sieben said that he was in support of the decision and thought that it was long overdue.
“I think it’s important to note that any council, of the present or the future, may have different people on it. Some that likely will have benefits through their other positions, such as myself, that won’t utilize something like this, but there’s those that don’t,” he explained.
Councilor Given agreed that this is an important decision for future councils and voiced her support.
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