Re: “Official CRD vote not the whole story,” Jan. 13
Meetings of the Capital Regional District Board and committees are governed by Procedures Bylaw No. 3828, the Local Government Act and the Community Charter.
Bylaw No. 3828 states that in cases that are not provided for under this bylaw, the newly revised Robert’s Rules of Order apply, provided it is applicable in the circumstances and is not inconsistent with the provisions of the procedures bylaw, the Local Government Act or the Community Charter.
According to the Local Government Act, “if a director who is entitled to vote does not indicate how he or she votes, the director is deemed to have voted in the affirmative.” All directors are aware of this provision and therefore of the implications of choosing not to raise their hand when the vote is taken.
The motion to amend the commission bylaw and give it fourth reading as amended was approved at the Core Area Liquid Waste Management Committee on Jan. 9. With all 15 members of the committee present, the corporate officer reviewed the vote at the meeting and confirmed that eight members voted in favour with seven opposed. As such, the motion carried.
This committee recommendation was forwarded to the board that afternoon for consideration. The Board approved the motion with a vote of 23 to 1.
Sonia Santarossa
Manager of legislative services and corporate officer
Capital Regional District
