St. Paul Council Divided on Health Benefits, Motion Defeated

The Town of St. Paul council voted down a proposal to join an expanded health benefits plan for councillors during its Nov. 10 meeting, ending weeks of discussion on whether elected officials should receive employer-style coverage.

Split Vote Ends the Proposal

The motion, which would have placed council members under GroupSource benefits, was defeated in a 4–3 vote. Several councillors supported the idea of opting in, while others argued the cost was too high and fell outside the financial principles they campaigned on.

The decision follows an earlier discussion at the Nov. 3 organisational meeting, where council deferred the matter to allow time to review cost scenarios and eligibility.

Background on the Policy

In 2021, the previous council passed a resolution enabling new councillors to opt into health benefits at the start of their term. Supporters of the option at the Nov. 10 meeting noted the intent was to make serving on council accessible to residents who do not have employer-sponsored benefits, such as stay-at-home parents or people in part-time work.

Others maintained that the current council had committed to lowering costs and reducing tax pressure and felt that declining benefits was consistent with that goal.

Cost Scenarios Reviewed

Administration presented three options for council to consider:

▪️ Full family coverage for all councillors
▪️ Single coverage for all
▪️ A flexible model allowing each member to choose

Depending on the option, annual costs ranged from roughly $14,000 to $42,000. Monthly premiums presented to council included:

▪️ $17.90 per councillor for life insurance
▪️ $108 single / $314 family for extended health
▪️ $63 single / $189 family for dental coverage

During deliberations, some councillors emphasised that serving on council involves significant time commitments and financial trade-offs, and that providing benefits helps recognise that responsibility. Others argued that the priority should be maintaining fiscal discipline, and that declining benefits demonstrated leadership on cost restraint.

Vote Breakdown

After discussion, the motion to opt in to the Mayor and Councillor benefits programme was defeated.

In favour:
• Coun. Brad Eamon
• Coun. Norm Noel
• Coun. Maurice Brousseau

Opposed:
• Mayor Glenn Andersen
• Coun. David Fodness
• Coun. Roger Routhier
• Coun. Nathan Rosychuk

With the motion defeated, council members will not join the benefits plan for the current term.