Decision expected Friday on how vacancies on Sudbury city council will be filled

City council in Greater Sudbury will meet Friday morning to decide how to fill two vacancies.

The vacancies were created with the sudden deaths of Ward 2 Coun. Michael Vagnini and Ward 3 Coun. Gerry Montpellier.

Councillors have three basic options: appoint another candidate from the 2022 election, appoint someone of their choosing, or hold a byelection.

A byelection would cost about $388,000 for each ward. If that’s the option council selects, the vote would likely be held this summer.

“Voting day would be 45 days after nomination day,” said a staff report on the options.

“Assuming a bylaw as described here passes April 16, 2024, voting day for the byelection would be on July 29, 2024.”

The voting process would include online voting, paper ballots on voting day at four voting locations in each ward and visits to long-term care and other facilities on voting day to allow residents there to vote.

Sudbury council has appointed two people to replace Ward 2 Coun. Michael Vagnini and Ward 3 Coun. Gerry Montpellier, who both passed away in February. (File)

If councillors decide to select another candidate from the 2022 vote, they could pick someone who ran in Wards 2 or 3, or any candidate who ran for municipal office two years ago.

However, staff would first have to determine whether that person is still interested and available.

Should council choose the appointment route, applications would be solicited and interested candidates would have to register at Tom Davies Square, just as they would for a normal election.

“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,” a staff report said.

“Under this option, the entire process and appointment would have to be completed prior to April 26.”

Councillors meet at 9:30 a.m. Friday. Read the full report on the options here.