Votes at Region of Waterloo council and committees now to be recorded

Starting June 6, all votes taken at Region of Waterloo council and committee meetings will be recorded and the results will be noted in each meeting's minutes.

The idea for all votes to be recorded was brought forward by Coun. Kari Williams as a way to increase transparency and accountability.

"I thought that would be a much better way for the public to be able to determine: are my councillors voting in the way that I would like them to as a constituent?" Williams told CBC News earlier this month.

"The public has the right to see how we're voting."

Regional council approved the motion during Wednesday night's meeting, without discussion.

The same motion also passed a resolution to support an Ontario MPP's private member's bill tothat would allow municipalities to remove council members who have been found to have violated harassment and violence policies.

The Stopping Harassment and Abuse by Local Leaders Act, or Bill 5, has been brought forward by Orlans MPP Stephen Blais and the bill is scheduled for second reading on May 30.