Oakville Council Will Appoint a New Ward 5 Councillor on Sept. 8

Ward 5 will have a town councillor again by early September. Oakville council voted to appoint someone to the seat left vacant by the death of Marc Grant on July 27, after formally declaring the seat vacant at its meeting.

The appointment is set for September 8 and runs until the current council term ends on November 14. It happens even though a municipal election is already scheduled for October 26, because the Municipal Act requires a vacancy to be filled when it occurs more than 90 days before an election. Grant's seat became vacant 91 days out, one day past the cutoff that would have let council leave it empty.

Council is not rushing the choice. Members opted to wait until after the August 21 nomination deadline before appointing anyone. Town staff said holding off until nominations close lets council see who is running and "may reduce concerns related to transparency and public perception that could arise if a preferred appointee was identified before nominations close." Five candidates are currently registered for the Ward 5 seat, which Grant had held since 2003.

How the appointment works

The town will post a notice explaining how residents can put their names forward for consideration. Councillors then hear prepared remarks from everyone who completed the process, and vote to select one of them. Whoever is chosen takes part in the remaining council meetings of the term.

One other thing changes on August 21. Oakville council is expected to become a lame duck council on that date, since fewer than 75 per cent of its members are expected to return next term. Under the Municipal Act that restricts council from spending more than $50,000, disposing of property worth more than $50,000, or hiring and firing staff for the rest of the term.