DIDSBURY - A byelection will not be held in Didsbury to replace former councillor Joyce McCoy.
In a split decision at the Nov. 12 council meeting, council members voted to defeat a motion calling for a byelection to be held Jan. 20.
McCoy resigned from council on Sept. 23, leaving five councillors and a mayor on the municipal council.
Under the Municipal Government Act and the Local Authorities Election Act, council has the option to call a byelection to fill a vacancy left by the resignation of a council member.
“Because the general election is less than 12 months away (in October 2025), council need not hold a byelection so long as at least five members remain on council,” said the town's chief administrative officer Ethan Gorner.
A byelection would have cost between $12,000 and $15,000, council heard earlier.
“A byelection generally has the same requirements as hosting a full general election in terms of cost, administrative time, and processes,” he said.
“In addition, the Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendments Act received proclamation on Oct. 31 meaning there are new requirements for council orientation training, preparation for a permanent electors register, hand counting of all ballots, as well as other amendments that would apply to this byelection.”
During the Nov. 12 meeting, council discussed the matter at some length.
Coun. Bill Windsor said, “I’m totally torn on this one. I think it would be fully advantageous to have a full slate of officers here; it’s always valuable having minds working together trying to get things done.
“On the other side, I’m not sure that the individual who comes in for 10 months, I would hate to see that individual end up painted by the same brush as council and not be re-elected in 10 months. I think that is a valid concern.”
Coun. John Baswick said, “While I see the value in having a full complement in chambers, I still look at is an individual trying to get up to speed real quick over a short term. I think we could save some money by continuing as we are. So I would be voting against (the motion).
“I don’t want to put an additional financial burden on the citizens of Didsbury.”
Coun. Dorothy Moore did not comment on the motion.
Deputy mayor Curt Engel said, “I’m torn too. It is nice to have a full complement. I remember when we were first elected, I had a different elected official talk to me and says it's about six to eight months learning curve. What we are doing is spending quite a bit of money and asking someone to do a learning curve for six to eight months and then we are in an election.’
“I just can’t see the value for the taxpayer to spend that kind of money on that short of a term.”
Mayor Rhonda Hunter said, “I do support a byelection because I like to see all the (council) chairs filled. I think that is important for our democratic process.”
Engel said, “If I vote against this it doesn’t mean I’m against democracy.”
Council voted on a motion put forward by Coun. Windsor to have a byelection on Jan. 20 and to appoint Luana Smith as returning officer and Jocelyn Baxter as substitute returning officer.
The mayor and Coun. Windsor voted in favour and councillors Engel, Moore and Baswick voted against, defeating the motion 3-2.
Council then carried a motion to accept the byelection report from the CAO as information.
Coun. Ethan Williams did not attend the Nov. 12 council meeting.
