McLaughlin Not At The Table Yet

kc dyer
6 days ago
2 min read

Updated: 5 days ago

Acclamation may not speed swearing-in

New Councillor-elect Ron McLaughlin was formally declared the acclaimed candidate by Chief Election Officer Lisa Zwarn on May 26.

While McLaughlin may have secured his position, it's likely that he won't take his seat at the table until July, according to Ministry of Municipal Affairs election protocols.

Regulations state that the soonest an acclaimed candidate can be sworn in is the day after the election period ends. In the case of this, the second by-election this term, election day was slated for June 21, which means the earliest day for a swearing-in would be June 22.

The first by-election this term, in which Jaime Cunliffe was elected to take the seat left open by the resignation of former Councillor Norm Barmeier, was held May 6, 2023. Cunliffe took her Oath of Office to open the next regular Council meeting on May 16, 2023.

The next meeting of Council is set to be a Committee of the Whole (COW) meeting, scheduled for June 3. That will be followed by a regular Council meeting on June 20, the day before the election was scheduled to take place. There are two meetings slated for July before Council takes its usual break for the month of August.

If no special action is taken, it’s likely the newest member of Council will assume his seat at the July regular council meeting*.

Chief Administrative Officer Ross Blackwell has confirmed to The Watershed that the new councillor cannot be sworn in until after June 21. "The next regular meeting of Council in July 22 and this item will be added to that agenda," he said.

As the acclamation renders a campaign unnecessary, McLaughlin has agreed to an interview with The Watershed, which will be published in the lead-up to the resumption of his seat at the table. Stay tuned!

{*Edited to add the correct date provided by CAO Blackwell.]

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