Edson town council is making it easier for parents to serve as councilors.
Town council recently approved a new measure that allows for councilors to get reimbursed for childcare expenses. This would include such things as a counselor hiring a babysitter so they can attend council meetings, as an example.
Under the new reimbursement system, councilors can claim a maximum of $2,400 per year. Administration estimates this could be an annual expenditure of $17,500 per year, depending on how many councilors and how many times they ask for reimbursement.
Council, however, was divided on the issue. Councilors Gean Choinard and Trevor Beven voted against the measure. Both argued that councilors are already fairly compensated, and that a councilor’s salary can easily cover childcare.
Currently, the salary for an Edson town councilor is $26,600 per year, and is scheduled to go up to $27,600 per year in 2022.
Councilors Troy Sorensen and Krystal Bair argued in favour of the measure. They argued that the inability to pay for childcare should not prevent people from serving their town.
The resolution passed with a vote of 4 – 3.
