The MD of Spirit River has given the first reading to a bylaw that if passed will see the dissolution of the MD’s ward system in favour of an at-large voting system.
At present, the MD is split into four electoral divisions, or wards, that allow voters to elect council members to represent their specific division’s interests. Should the change be implemented, electors will vote for councillors at-large, who will represent the municipality as a whole.
Before council can make such a significant change to the voting system, the Municipal Government Act requires them to allow for a petition period for voters to determine whether the proposed bylaw should be passed.
The petition must be signed by electors in the MD of Spirit River equaling at least 10 per cent of the population. Should the petition not reach the required 10 per cent turnout, council has indicated that the bylaw will be passed.
A petition must be filed with the MD’s CAO within 60 days after August 21st, meaning the deadline to file is October 21st of this year.
More information regarding the petitioning process, or the bylaw itself, is available through the MD of Spirit River’s CAO Dan Dibbelt at (780)-864-3500.
