(JENNIFER STAHN / iNFOnews.ca)

Kamloops council has voted in favour of a policy that will allow councillors to tune in to meetings through Zoom as often as they like until the next municipal election.

At a Nov. 2 meeting, Kamloops mayor Ken Christian introduced a motion that would adjust a policy that formerly allowed councillors a maximum of four in-person council meetings they may skip.

The policy comes on the heels of Coun. Denis Walsh's concerns over vaccine mandates among City staff and politicians.

Walsh believes governments implementing vaccine mandates in workplaces is a "step too far" and voiced his concerns at a recent council meeting.

READ MORE: Unvaccinated Kamloops health clinic is already closed

He also believes the fact that he has had COVID-19 in the past leaves him with stronger antibodies to combat the virus than the vaccine would offer.

"I cannot sit back while something I feel is unjust is happening, and it gets me in trouble," Walsh said.

Walsh dug in his heels after other councillors and Mayor Christian have said that it is important for council, as community leaders, to bring a vaccination policy for themselves.

"Essentially I feel there's an obligation as community leaders to do the right thing to protect the health and safety of our community," Coun. Sadie Hunter told iNFOnews.ca on Oct. 27. "Policies like these are part of a larger social contract."

READ MORE: Why new drivers in Kamloops, Okanagan are still waiting for road tests

Council could implement a vaccine policy for themselves, similar to the one already in place for staff, contractors and volunteers. However, it's unclear how that could be enforced, Christian said, and would be mostly symbolic.

For now, councillors will be able to attend as many meetings as they like through Zoom until the end of November 2022.

Although Walsh is under no obligation to avoid in-person meetings because he is not vaccinated for COVID-19, he has indicated that he would be willing to do so if it makes the rest of council comfortable.

Mayor Christian's motion will force staff to amend the council procedures bylaw, which was just recently adopted to limit missed meetings to four per year.

Christian also added that council intends to resume meetings at City Hall, health restrictions permitting. The space is small and limits social distancing, compared to the current lounge room at the Sandman Centre.

READ MORE: Why the Kekuli Cafe's long-awaited Kamloops location is still waiting

To contact a reporter for this story, email Levi Landry or call 250-819-3723 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above. 

News from © iNFOnews, 2021