KENTVILLE, NS - A new parental accommodations policy will help promote inclusion and diversity on Kings County council.
Council voted unanimously in favour of passing the Parental Accommodations Policy for Elected Officials in July. The policy is the first of its kind for a Nova Scotia municipality.
The policy states that the municipality supports council members taking leave for pregnancy, birth or adoption and is committed to supporting elected officials during that time through a variety of measures. The comprehensive policy also provides for leave in the event of pregnancy loss.
Deputy Mayor Emily Lutz, the mother of two children, three-year-old Everett and four-month-old Azie, said she thinks the new policy is “a marvelous step forward.”
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It was really nice to see council make a statement by enacting the policy that municipal council is a welcoming environment for new parents. This sends a strong message of inclusion to those that the policy affects directly and to the general public. The more diversity around the council horseshoe, the better. Lutz said council would continue to look for ways to improve inclusion and diversity.
The genesis of the policy was recent amendments to the provincial Municipal Government Act. Attendance requirements for new parents were changed so that they could be absent from council meetings for up to one year without being penalized.
Lutz said municipal staff took the initiative to develop the policy, taking the change to provincial legislation a step further. She said parenthood shouldn’t be viewed as a barrier to becoming involved in municipal politics.
“It’s very exciting to be leading the way on this,” Lutz said. “It speaks to the idea that parents shouldn’t have to choose between having families and participating in democracy, especially at the local level where all of our decisions are impacting families and impacting communities.”
Lutz said, as a breastfeeding mother, she can’t be away from her baby for extended lengths of time. The best option for her if she wants to be involved in municipal governance is to bring her daughter along. Lutz said this isn’t disruptive and if she has to step out into a side room with her baby for a few moments, she can still follow along with what is happening at the meeting.
“I figure it’s better to be there with the baby than not be there at all, which is my other option,” the deputy mayor said.
Lutz agreed that the policy could convince more young parents to consider letting their names stand for election in the County of Kings. She said policy must evolve to reflect those sitting around the council table. This new policy offers flexibility to young parents, which is what they need.
Did you know?
The County of Kings Parental Accommodation Policy for Elected Officials aims to build a family-friendly workplace through a variety of measures, including:
- Promotion and ensuring a workplace culture that supports and encourages families.
- Supporting balance and respecting boundaries between work and family.
- Promoting and providing spaces for breastfeeding.
- Providing space for family care, including changing stations in washrooms.
- Embracing parents bringing their infants to council and municipal committee meetings.
- Making flexible working arrangements for families at all stages.
- Advocating for and accommodating the needs of all families.
Go online: To view the Parental Accommodations Policy for Elected Officials in its entirety, visit https://www.countyofkings.ca/information/policies.aspx and click the Administration tab.
