Briefer breaks get long hearing

Members of the Iqaluit District Education Authority spent about half an hour Monday night discussing a motion to reduce the length of coffee breaks to 10 minutes from 15 minutes.

“After attending several IDEA meetings, it has come to my attention that the majority of people attending the meeting are non-smokers and actually very few drink coffee. However the IDEA usually dedicates at least 15 to 20 minutes to allow people to smoke,” reads the introduction to a motion brought by Sean Maloney, a member of the IDEA.

Maloney recommended that breaks be shortened to five minutes, saying it would be more than enough time to allow members to go to the bathroom, stretch their legs or get a cup of coffee.

However, some members objected to the motion, saying they like the coffee breaks, which provide a short reprieve from the three-hour meetings.

Tim Neily, a member of the IDEA, said he probably wouldn’t obey a rule requiring members to return after five minutes, and would feel justified taking a 15-minute smoke break if he felt he needed it.

But members compromised, passing an amended motion stating breaks will not exceed 10 minutes.

The motion passed narrowly, with three voting in favour, and two opposed.

Last month, IDEA members spent the better part of an hour debating whether meetings should be shortened by half an hour, to end at 9:30 p.m. instead of 10 p.m.

They have yet to reach a decision.