As a Salt Spring trustee sought to take part in his sixth regular Local Trust Committee (LTC) meeting from off-island, that body voted to conduct its April business without him.
A motion to waive the rules and allow trustee Jamie Harris to participate in LTC discussion and decisions on Thursday, April 10 failed — meaning Harris, who last attended in-person in July 2024, has now been officially “absent” from his first meeting as tallied under the Community Charter.
Until this week, the other two trustees — LTC chair Tim Peterson and trustee Laura Patrick — have permitted Harris’ participation through a unanimous vote to waive attendance restrictions mandated by Salt Spring’s meeting procedures bylaw, which prohibits trustees from attending two consecutive regular LTC meetings remotely if the meetings are held in person.
Since there was no meeting that August and an all-online meeting was called in October, the policy’s limits weren’t technically reached until the December meeting — the first time the other two trustees, attending in person, voted to waive the restriction. And with no LTC meeting scheduled in January, the unanimous vote was repeated in February and March.
But with no explanation forthcoming from Harris — concerning either his intentions or indeed his whereabouts — at least one trustee seems to have reached their limit.
“While I am sympathetic to trustee Harris’ situation, we’ve already done this three times,” said Patrick. “And each time I’ve asked to hear trustee Harris’ plans.”
In public Zoom meetings, Harris has said he lost his own living situation and was forced to move away, citing a potential threefold rent increase for “something comparable” on-island, but not elaborating further. Harris has not responded to repeated Driftwood requests for comment.
“Our meeting procedure rules are here for a reason,” said Patrick, “and I think we as a Local Trust Committee, as well as the people of Salt Spring, need to know his plans going forward. With that, I’m hesitant to agree to waive the requirements today.”
Peterson noted that procedurally, hearing from trustee Harris during the meeting absent a vote to allow his participation “seems irregular,” and Patrick agreed. Harris had attempted to join the meeting nearly an hour after it began, well after a public comment period that might have afforded him an opportunity.
“I think he needs to formally communicate with us, and with the community, as to his plans going forward,” said Patrick.
The unanimous vote failed; Peterson voted in favour, Patrick voted against, and the two trustees proceeded with the rest of the day’s agenda. While not participating, Harris remained online until the LTC went into an in-camera meeting for committee appointments. Staff confirmed Harris did not participate in that non-public session.
Under Salt Spring’s meeting procedures bylaw, a trustee is deemed “present” at a regular meeting if they participate, either in-person or through electronic means.
If a member is “absent” from four regularly scheduled meetings — or for 60 days, whichever is longer — they are disqualified under the Community Charter from holding office until the next general local election in 2026.
After the meeting, Patrick told the Driftwood Harris had “indicated” to her he planned to be present at the next meeting in May.
If Harris does not attend, and Salt Spring’s LTC holds its May 8, June 5 and July 10 meetings in-person — and if at least one trustee votes against a motion to waive the attendance restrictions during each — Harris’ disqualification could take effect upon failure of that July 10 vote.
The Local Government Act states candidates must reside in B.C. at least six months before standing for election but is silent on residency requirements once elected.