(Town of Blackfalds)

By Josh Hall | @Vancan19

rebecca stendie

Town of Blackfalds exempted from holding byelection to replace resigned councillor

Apr 11, 2024 | 12:41 PM

Blackfalds will not have to conduct a byelection following the resignation of former councillor Rebecca Stendie.

Stendie’s resignation was reported earlier this month, with the Town saying at the time that it would ask to be excused from the requirement to hold a byelection given the proximity of the next municipal election in 2025.

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Under the Municipal Government Act, a municipality must hold a byelection if a vacancy occurs more than 18 months prior to the next election. At the time of Stendie’s resignation, it was 48 days until that mark.

Stendie provided council with a one-sentence handwritten resignation letter stating simply that she was resigning.

In a comment to rdnewsNOW earlier this month, Stendie said she loves her community and is extremely grateful for the support and encouragement she received while sitting.

“I am saddened to be resigning from council; it was not an easy decision to make,” she said. “I will continue to dedicate my time and service to Blackfalds in the ways that I am able. Huge heartfelt thanks to Blackfalds residents for their trust in me over the years. And tremendous appreciation to Blackfalds staff for their dedication to creating an incredible, vibrant, and welcoming community.”

Mayor Jamie Hoover wrote to the minister following her resignation asking for the deferral due to the short time until the next election and the additional cost for a byelection so close to the formal election would require an increase in budget, the Town noted.

In a letter back to the Town, Ric McIver, Minister of Municipal Affairs, says he would grant the Town’s request, “in the interest of the community.”

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