HomeMy WebLinkAboutPregnancy and Parental Leave Policy for Members of Council - GOV-COU-2039POLICY GOV-COU-2039
Pregnancy and Parental Leave for Members
of Council
Category
GOV -
Governance
Sub-category
COU - Council
Approval Type
COUNCIL
Department/Division
Legislated Services
Author and Position
City Clerk
Date Approved
November 18, 2024
Last
Reviewed/Amended
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enter a date.
Next Review Date
June 1, 2027
Related Policies or Procedures
• Municipal Act, 2001
Policy Purpose
The purpose of the policy is to establish the procedure for Members of Council to declare a
pregnancy or parental leave as required by section 270 of the Municipal Act and identify the
remuneration package and other administrative matters.
Definitions
“Council agenda” means the package provided to council for meetings of council including
closed meetings which includes the agenda, minutes and supporting agenda documentation.
“Pregnancy and Parental Leave” for the purposes of this policy means an absence of 20
consecutive weeks or less as a result of a Member’s pregnancy, the birth of a Member’s child
or the adoption of a child by the Member in accordance with Section 259 (1.1) of the Municipal
Act, 2001.
Policy Scope
This policy protects members of Council from removal of office and paid leave of absence
due to pregnancy, the birth of a child or the adoption of a child up to twenty (20) consecutive
weeks, not to extend beyond a member’s term of office.
Unlike municipal employees who are entitled to pregnancy and/or parental leave in
accordance with the Ontario Employment Standards Act, members of Council are not
considered employees and are not eligible for employment insurance.
Application
☐ Employees (Indicate below which categories apply: All employees, Permanent full-time, Temporary full-time, Continuous part-
time, Casual, Probationary, Student, Management, Non-union)
• Click or tap here to enter text.
☐ Unions (Indicate below which categories apply: All Unions, CUPE 68 Civic, CUPE 68 Mechanics, CUPE 791, IATSE, IBEW, KPFFA)
• Click or tap here to enter text.
☒ Council
☐ Specified Positions: Click or tap here to enter text.
☐ Other: Local Boards and Advisory Committees
Policy Content
1. The City of Kitchener supports a member of Council’s right to pregnancy and
parental leave (“leave”) in keeping with the following principles:
a. An elected member shall not be required to obtain Council approval to take
pregnancy and parental leave, not exceeding 20 weeks.
b. An elected member shall not have their elected office declared vacant as a
result of such leave.
c. An elected member shall continue to receive all Council communication while
on leave unless otherwise indicated on the Leave Advisory Form.
d. An elected member shall continue to reserve the right to participate as an active
member of Council at any time during such leave.
e. An elected member shall continue to receive all remuneration and benefits
afforded to Council members.
f. An elected member shall ensure that constituency services continue in their
absence as indicated on the Leave Advisory Form.
2. Prior to the Leave, a member of Council shall complete the Leave Advisory Form
attached as Attachment A to this policy and submit the form to the City Clerk.
3. In keeping with the principles above, if an out of office message is applied in
accordance with the Leave Advisory Form, constituency inquiries shall be referred
to staff in the Office of Mayor and Council (OMC) for triaging and response.
4. If a member of Council wishes to seek a leave in excess of 20 consecutive weeks,
the member shall complete the extended leave section of the Leave Advisory Form
and submit to the City Clerk as soon as the need for an extended leave is known.
If an extended leave is requested, the City Clerk shall prepare a report for Council’s
consideration of the extended leave.
5. A member of Council shall notify the Human Resources division as soon as
practicably possible of the birth or adoption of a child if benefit coverage is required.
6. As the elected head of City Council, the Mayor may request that Council make
temporary appointments to any committees, boards etc. that may be vacated as a
result of such leave.
7. At any time, the elected official on leave may advise the Clerk of changes to their
return date, through reasonable written notice, and their intention to resume any
and all statutory roles including work on committees.
Results of Review
☐ No Edits Required
☐ Housekeeping Edits
☐ Substantial Edits
☐ Repeal/Replace
Policy History
Administrative and Housekeeping Changes
Date Nature of Change
yyyy-mm-dd Departmental re-organization/Titling changes/ Standing Committee
restructuring.
Substantial Changes
Date Council/CLT Directive
yyyy-mm-dd As Per Council/CLT Directive - Report #