Blake Ellis/The Independent

Enniskillen Township Councillor Chad Burke has been granted a leave of absence from his council duties for health reasons. 

Enniskillen’s Administrator-Clerk Christine Poland indicated at the Dec. 1 meeting, council received a request for a leave of absence directly from Burke and the Municipal Act states if a request is made for over three months, it needs to be approved by council. 

The leave of absence will be retroactively from Nov. 19 to March 15. 

This is the second time Burke has been granted a leave of absence taking the first from June 19 to Sept. 5 in 2023. He had also requested council meetings start at 4:30 pm instead of 7 pm. This new practise was put in place at the start of 2024. At the time, Burke’s doctor had advised him to ask for this accommodation due to his personal health. It was felt at the time it was too much for Burke to work during the day and have to attend a council meeting in the evening. The earlier time would allow meetings to be completed by 6 pm. 

Since the beginning of 2024, Burke has attended a majority of meetings by Zoom.