Last month, resignations of three municipal councillors left the Village of McBride council without quorum.

On Nov. 29, 2016, Peter Fassbender, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development, signed a Ministerial Order to allow the remaining two members of council to constitute a quorum until the vacancies are filled through a by-election.

The ministry has appointed Isabell Hadford – a former municipal chief administrative officer in British Columbia with 25 years’ experience in smaller, rural communities – as municipal advisor who will begin her work with the village immediately. Ms. Hadford will work with McBride municipal staff, council and the community to stabilize short-term municipal operations and help support long-term confidence in the municipality. The advisor will report directly to the inspector of municipalities.

The inspector of municipalities met with the remaining McBride council members and staff to discuss the role of the advisor and emphasize expectations for the two-member council while they act in their limited capacity.

Council’s immediate priority is to appoint a chief election officer and deputy chief election officer to run a by-election. Council is expected to meet on Dec. 19, 2016, to appoint the chief election officer.

Experienced elections staff from the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George have indicated they are available to support McBride’s by-election. The date for the municipal by-election must fall on a Saturday no later than 80 days after the appointment of the chief election officer.

Assistance provided by the Province is to help McBride council work collaboratively with village staff, the municipal advisor and the community to achieve stability for the municipality.