Byelection to replace Sudbury councillors would cost $388K for each ward
As they grieve the sudden passing of two members of city council, local politicians must decide how to replace them with about 2 1/2 years to go before the next election.
A report headed to council Feb. 27 outlines options for replacing Ward 2 Coun. Michael Vagnini and Ward 3 Coun. Gerry Montpellier.
The options are holding a byelection, which would cost about $388,000 per ward ($776,000 total), appointing a candidate who ran in the ward in the 2022 vote, or simply appointing someone of their choosing.
Under Ontario’s Municipal Act, local councils must fill vacancies unless the vacancy occurs within 90 days of the next election. When a member dies, the council must declare the seat vacant within the next two meetings.
“In addition to the requirement to declare the office vacant, the Act requires that such office be filled within very brief timelines,” the staff report said.
“The selection and appointment of a person or the decision to proceed with a byelection must be made within 60 days of council passing the declaration that the office is vacant.”
A report headed to council Feb. 27 outlines options for replacing Ward 2 Coun. Michael Vagnini and Ward 3 Coun. Gerry Montpellier, who both passed away this month. (File)
If councillors decide to appoint someone, they can pick anyone they want as long as they are 18, a Canadian citizen and live in Greater Sudbury.
To find someone to appoint, municipal councils will often turn to candidates who ran in the previous election, usually the runner-up. They can also open the process to applications from the public.
“In 2014, two vacancies for the office of ward councillor occurred in the City of Greater Sudbury and in both cases, city council directed the process contemplated in this option,” the report said.
“For clarity, council is not required to select this option even though it was used in 2014.”
Under this option, candidates would make their pitch in a five-minute presentation to the city’s nominating committee, which would then vote to pick the winner.
Finally, the most democratic – but expensive – option would be to hold a byelection in each ward to fill the vacancies.
“In general, byelections are to be conducted as similarly as possible to the regular election, which means that the voting methods used in 2022 would be mirrored for a byelection,” the staff report said.
“Byelections require significant staff and financial resources and include all the same processes of a regular election on a condensed timeline.”
- Download the CTV News app now
- Get local breaking news alerts
- Daily newsletter with the top local stories emailed to your inbox
Depending on how quickly the process goes, the byelection would likely be held in August.
“Total cost for a byelection involving a single councillor vacancy is approximately $388,000,” the report said.
Read the full report here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6975593.1721827455!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Male, female killed, 2 others injured in 'gun battle' outside Toronto plaza: police
Two people are dead and two others suffered serious injuries following a shooting that police have described as a 'gun battle' outside a plaza in Scarborough, Ont. early Wednesday morning.
Canada's envoy to NYC called to testify about $9M condo purchase on 'Billionaires' Row'
Canada's Consul General in New York will have to explain the government's decision to buy a $9 million condo in Manhattan's famous 'Billionaires' Row,' to a parliamentary committee.
Price of new housing dipped slightly in June: Statistics Canada
The cost of a new house was slightly cheaper in June compared to May, according to Statistics Canada. Prices dropped 0.2 per cent month-over-month, which is the first time in 2024 that new houses have sold for cheaper than the month prior.
2 Canadians being 'sent home immediately,' removed from Olympic team after drone incident
An analyst and an assistant coach with Canada Soccer are being removed from the Canadian Olympic Team and 'sent home immediately,' according to the Canadian Olympic Committee.
Wildfire north of Calgary prompts evacuation alert, highway closures
A wildfire is prompting evacuations and highway closures north of Calgary.
An unwelcome attendee has joined the Paris Olympic Games: COVID-19
After a handful of Australian water polo players tested positive for COVID-19 this week, questions have emerged around how the spread of the disease will be mitigated at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris.
'Inside Out 2' becomes highest-grossing animated movie of all time
If there’s one emotion that Disney and Pixar are probably feeling right now, it’s joy. That’s after movie sequel 'Inside Out 2' became the highest-grossing animated film of all time, raking in US$1.46 billion at the global box office and dethroning former record holder 'Frozen 2' from 2019, according to Disney on Wednesday.
2 wildfires less than 8 km away from Jasper townsite, some structures impacted in national park
As the evacuation order continues for Jasper National Park, officials confirm that some structures in the park have been damaged by fire, but they can't confirm what those structures are.
Parts of DVP, Lake Shore Boulevard briefly flooded as Toronto hit with heavy rain
Thunderstorms rolled through Toronto Wednesday afternoon, bringing heavy rain and causing flash flooding on the Don Valley Parkway (DVP), Lake Shore Boulevard and some downtown subway stations.