By Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Tyler Waugh
Mount Pearl city council made a series of five motions at its August 18 public meeting that approved attendance at several conferences for staff and council over the next few months.
Mayor Dave Aker pointed out the professional development and travel requests are in accordance with policy and, even though they are routine, they still come to council for approval.
Councillor Bill Antle spoke favourably of the benefits of the conferences in making the various motions to approve the travel.
“It’s so good for us to travel around the country to see what other communities are doing and what other councillors are doing,” he said.
Council approved requests for Mayor Aker, Deputy Mayor Jim Locke and councillors Isabelle Fry and Antle to attend the Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador (MNL) 2026 Conference, Tradeshow and AGM from November 5-7 in St. John’s. Council also approved, in a separate motion, a request for chief administrative officer Cassie Rideout to attend the same conference.
In two other motions, council approved professional development and travel requests for Deputy Mayor Locke to attend the Atlantic Planners Conference from October 7-9 in Charlottetown, PEI, and councillor Antle to attend the Economic Developers Association of Canada (EDAC) 2026 Conference from September 14 – 17 in Moncton, NB.
The last motion passed by council approved a professional development and travel request for director of recreation Jason Collins to attend Event Atlantic – Summit 2026 and attend board meetings from September 8 – 11 in Shediac, NB.