City clerk advises against by-election to fill downtown council seat
Limited time to hold a by-election before next year’s municipal election has the city clerk instead recommending council appoint a new councillor to represent the downtown.
The Ward 13 seat on council was vacated by Arielle Kayabaga after she was elected to represent London West during the federal election September 20.
Council must either call a by-election or appoint an eligible candidate.
In a report to council’s Corporate Services Committee, City Clerk Cathy Saunders writes, “the timelines for a by-election as set out in this report and as determined by the MEA [Municipal Elections Act], would result in the vacancy not being filled until early February 2022, three months before nominations open for the regular election.”
Saunders estimates holding a by-election would cost between $165,000 and $180,000.
Appointing an individual qualified to hold office would cost $3,000 to $3,500 and must be completed within 60 days.
Individuals seeking the appointment would be required to complete an application form and provide proof of eligibility.
Council would hold a series of votes, dropping from the ballot the candidate receiving the lowest number of votes each round, until a single candidate receives a majority of council’s support.
The Corporate Services Committee will discuss filling the vacancy on Oct. 12.
Ward 13 includes Downtown London and the Blackfriars, SOHO, and Historic Woodfield neighborhoods.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Minister 'outraged' after AFN national chief's headdress taken from Air Canada cabin
The federal minister of Crown-Indigenous relations is calling on Air Canada to 'make things right' with the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, who said her headdress was removed from an airplane cabin during a flight this week.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Canada recognizes housing as a human right. Few provinces have followed suit
As more Canadians find themselves struggling to afford or find housing, the country's smallest province is the only one that can point to legislation recognizing housing as a human right.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.