M'Chigeeng First Nation on Manitoulin Island postpones election until May
The M'Chigeeng First Nation on Manitoulin Island has decided to cancel its upcoming election scheduled for Monday, March 27.
The First Nations’ Election Appeals Committee (EAC) made the decision based on a number of grievances and appeals received due to confusion with nominee requirements related to criminal record checks (CRCs).
The EAC disqualified a number of candidates for failing to comply with the CRC requirements found in the M'Chigeeng First Nation Custom Election Code 2019.
In a news release issued Thursday, the EAC announced that the election would be postponed until May following the confusion.
“EAC members found this section of the Code to be very confusing,” the committee said in the release.
“(It) was causing a lot of the confusion among candidates who had been nominated and other members of the community.”
The new election date is set for May 13, with polls opened from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the M'Chigeeng Community Complex with advanced polls to be held on April 22 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the same location. Ballots for off-reserve voters will be mailed by April 11, according to the release.
“The candidates who were disqualified for not meeting the requirements related to the criminal record check are reinstated,” said the EAC.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
The decision, in the release, states that those candidates that did not meet the CRC requirements must submit a valid CRC dated on or after Feb. 13 by April 8.
“Any ballots cast at the advance poll of Wednesday, March 22, 2023 will be invalid and not counted,” said the committee.
“Any mail in ballots received as of March 23, 2023 will also not be counted.”
As a result, the current Chief and council’s term of office has been extended to May 13.
“The EAC strongly recommends that the new council amend this code to make it clearer to interpret.”
Members of the committee thank the community for their patience during this difficult time.
The full release can be found here.
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).
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.
'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.
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.
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.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.