By-election Nominations Open

A ten-day window to throw your hat into the ring

Nominations for candidates to become a Village of Lions Bay council member are now open, and will remain so until May 16.

The second by-election of this municipal term is scheduled for June 21, this time to replace former Councillor Marcus Reuter, who resigned his seat back in February.

The first by-election was held to replace former Councillor Norm Barmeier, who resigned after five and a half years in the role, just six weeks into the term.

In an interview after leaving the role, Barmeier called his resignation a "tough and disappointing decision" and said he would characterize the first month in the newly elected council as "frantic, completely lacking in transparency, disrespectful and disorganized."

Barmeier's seat was filled by another former councillor, Jaime Cunliffe, who defeated candidate Tanya Cosgrave in May, 2023.

Reuter's statement the day he resigned his seat said, in part, that he could "no longer pretend that things are working for the Village at the Council or staff levels" and that he was "unable to affect any change or address important issues by continuing as a Councillor."

This year's campaign will run from May 24 – June 21, which will be the general voting day.

Those who feel up to the challenge of taking on this position must meet the following requirements:

• Canadian citizen; 18 years of age or older on voting day, June 21, 2025;

• resident of British Columbia for at least six months immediately before the day nomination papers are filed (between May 6, 2025 to May 16, 2025);

• and, not disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election in British Columbia or being nominated for, being elected to, or holding the office, or be otherwise disqualified by law.

Limits on allowable expenses for the campaign and third party advertising are noted at the Elections BC site HERE.

Chief Administrative Officer Ross Blackwell says that the names of the potential candidates will be released "once the time limit pertaining to withdrawal has passed and there is a final list of candidates."

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