Council Chooses By-Election to Fill Vacant Ward 2 Seat

For Immediate Release
Tuesday, March 5, 2024 – Port Hope, ON

Council of the Municipality of Port Hope, at its meeting held Tuesday evening, voted to authorize a By-election to be held to fill the vacancy for the Office of a Member of Council representing Ward 2.

The decision to hold a By-election followed thorough deliberations and discussions among Members of Council during both the Committee of the Whole meeting on Tuesday, February 20, and today’s Council meeting. Engagement with the community over the past several weeks was also conducted by Members of Council to gather input and determine the preferred options for representation. The Municipality received a great deal of correspondence from members of the public, expressing their preferred approach for the selection of a new Councillor for Ward 2. Members of Council considered all feedback in their decision making.

At the meeting, Council also passed a By-law required to authorize the use of internet and telephone voting, as an alternative voting method in the By-election. This method was successfully used for the 2018 and the 2022 Municipal Elections.

The By-election will be held in late spring or early summer 2024. More information about the By-election, including nomination and candidate information, and voting period details will be provided in the coming days.

Background

In January 2024, former Councillor Chris Collins was appointed a Justice of the Peace. According to the Justices of the Peace Act, Mr. Collins, upon his appointment, was required to cease all other employment and refrain from participating in any political activities. Mr. Collins’ seat was declared vacant by Council on February 13.

At their Committee of the Whole meeting on February 20, Report CS-03-24 was considered, which explored options for filling the vacant seat in Ward 2 allowed by provincial legislation. After comprehensive discussion, direction to staff was provided at that meeting to present a By-law to Council to appoint the runner-up in Ward 2 from the 2022 Municipal Election. Ultimately, at the Council meeting on Tuesday evening, where a final decision is made, the By-law for appointment was defeated and the By-election By-law was then put forward and supported unanimously.