The Committee considered Corporate Services Department report COR-2024-007, dated December 21, 2023 regarding the options to fill a vacancy for the Office of Councillor, Ward 10.
A. Fusco presented the report noting the Municipal Act 2001 (Act) and Municipal Elections Act require Council fill the vacancy by appointment or by calling a By-election. A. Fusco outlined three options should Council choose to fill the vacancy by appointment, as outlined in Corporate Services Department report, COR-2024-007. It was noted any recommendation arising from this matter would be considered at a Special Council meeting later this date.
S. Albrecht addressed the Committee in support of Option 1A, appointment of a Ward 10 Candidate from the 2022 Municipal Election, due to the democratic nature of the process and the similarity in election platforms from the previously elected candidate and the runner-up.
S. Guthrie addressed the Committee in support of appointing a citizen assembly advisory group composed of Ward 10 voters to appoint the Office of Councilor vacancy.
B. Wallace addressed the Committee in support of conducting a By-election to fill the vacancy of the Ward 10 Office.
Councillor P. Singh moved that Council selects Option 1A (Appointment of 2022 Municipal Election Candidate – Stephanie Stretch) as presented in Corporate Services report COR-2024-007 Method to Fill a Vacancy for Office of Councillor, Ward 10, with an additional clause noting that the City Clerk be directed to confirm qualifications and consent of the candidate and bring forward the Appointment By-law for adoption to the next Council meeting.
A recorded vote was requested.