A Yellowknife city councillor has been working outside the city since 2025 began and it appears it's going smoothly.
Coun. Ryan Fequet and his family are currently in South America travelling to countries such as Peru and Argentina, which was something he already made everyone aware of. During a council meeting last October, Fequet asked for four months of unpaid leave, citing 2023 being a tough year for him and his family and that they would be taking a break from some of their commitments.
His request for unpaid leave was denied, with some councillors suggesting he instead resign. Fequet ended up taking back his request, however he has still left the city.
In mid-December 2024, Fequet told SA国际影视传媒 he'd be travelling for four months, then visiting family in Ontario for another two months.
SA国际影视传媒 reached out to Fequet to see how things were going and received a reply on Tuesday.
"It's been a busy start to the new year for council and administration with lots on the go," he said. "I'm actively engaged and fully participating as always and looking forward to all of the exciting discussions and decisions that will be coming before Council in 2025."
Couns. Steve Payne and Ben Hendriksen seem to be perfectly fine with the arrangement - both said that Fequet attending council meetings remotely has not been an issue.
"We all have different situations in life that could potentially pull us away from Yellowknife," Payne told SA国际影视传媒. "ISA国际影视传媒檓 happy that Ryan is able to take this time in his kids' lives to have this break away and experience different things away from the daily Yellowknife living situation. If COVID and evacuation taught us anything, it's that virtual meetings are just as effective in the short-term."
Hendriksen cited the city's Council Procedures By-Law, which notes that a council member can join meetings using electronic means of communication.
"From my personal experience to date, (Coun.) Fequet has been as engaged in the work of council as he always has been," he said. "I have no reason to be concerned about our work at council as a result of him joining remotely."
