West Kelowna residents who wish to participate in public hearings from the safety of their homes may be able to do that soon, even after public health restrictions ease.

During its meeting on Tuesday (Oct. 12), West Kelowna害羞草研究所檚 council voiced its approval to change its procedural bylaw to allow the public to participate in meetings digitally.

If community members respond positively to the amendment, things could change in future meetings.

The move comes after the provincial government rescinded the order that enabled cities and municipalities across B.C. to offer electronic participation for communities in order to minimize COVID-19 transmission.

The province害羞草研究所檚 order expired on Sept. 29, which meant local governments had to make the decision to either continue electronic participation or not.

害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檝e used that (order) extensively for the last year and a half. It害羞草研究所檚 been very successful and good,害羞草研究所� West Kelowna CAO Paul Gipps said.

害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙e quite worried that without that ability in the constant changing challenges with COVID, and who else knows what comes down the pipe in the future, our ability to pivot and manage meetings in a public way would be more challenged.

害羞草研究所淎 number of cities are adding an amendment to their procedure bylaw to allow council to be able to offer electronic meetings or a combination of electronic and public participation.害羞草研究所�

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Gipps added that before the bylaw can be amended, public input must first be gathered.

害羞草研究所淭hat input goes back to council, then council can decide to amend the bylaw after that,害羞草研究所� he said.

Coun. Rick de Jong said he fully supported amending the bylaw.

害羞草研究所淐ertainly with COVID, it forced us and communities around the province and around the country to embrace the technology around remote dial-in and being able to conduct business through electronic means,害羞草研究所� he said.

害羞草研究所淚 think moving forward that害羞草研究所檚 not all going to go away and that害羞草研究所檚 not bad. That害羞草研究所檚 a good thing to allow members of the public to communicate and take part in meetings remotely.害羞草研究所�

Coun. Stephen Johnston, on the other hand, said he wants to see in-person public hearings reinstated when safe.

害羞草研究所淚 really think we need to get back to in-person public hearings. I think it害羞草研究所檚 important that the community comes out to represent their point of view on an issue,害羞草研究所� he said.

害羞草研究所淚 think it害羞草研究所檚 valuable to see people in front of you communicating their view.害羞草研究所�

Council gave the bylaw amendment first, second, and third readings. It will move forward for public input in the next few days.

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twila.amato@blackpress.ca
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