Those interested in regional politics will soon be able to watch RDN board members in the space pictured. (RDN)

By Spencer Sterritt

WATCHFUL EYE

Regional District invests in cameras, services to webstream meetings

May 16, 2019 | 2:29 AM

NANAIMO — Unsure of how many people will be watching, the Regional District of Nanaimo is set to start live streaming their many meetings.

RDN board members unanimously voted Tuesday to install a camera and use streaming technology in their board room. The vote was made during a Committee of the Whole meeting and is expected to pass once more during their next regular board meeting

A staff report showed the service will cost $5,000 to set up and nearly $20,000 a year to maintain.

It’s similar to the system successfully used in the City of Nanaimo, which councillor and RDN chair Ian Thorpe said weighed heavily in his decision to support live streaming.

charged

Former Nanaimo teacher faces child porn charges

2h ago

Safe Boating

Summer boat safety event in Nanoose highlighting key skills to be safe on the water

4h ago

SEABOURN ODYSSEY

First passenger-filled cruise ship in five years docks in Nanaimo

10h ago

“The Regional District covers a much greater area of land and some more remote areas. For those residents who can access the coverage, I think that’ll be a real benefit to them.”

The option selected was the most expensive, but was recommended by RDN staff for being the easiest to use and most effective. Watchers will be able to read agendas and more easily follow along at RDN board meetings.

When the decision was previously before the RDN board, Thorpe said he wished to see public input and support of the idea to see if it would be a worthwhile endeavour.

“I read a couple of comments but did not hear anything directly from citizens,” Thorpe said.

Building on the lack of community input, Thorpe said the RDN will monitor how well used the system is once it’s up and running and will make further decisions about the service from there.

The staff report said the service would likely expand if the level of use warranted an increase.

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @nanaimonewsnow