Resolution 16-03A

WHEREAS, the democratic process of municipal government elections has occasion to produce adversarial situations; and

WHEREAS, a defeated councillor may choose to either abstain from further participation on the RM council and leave the ratepayers without representation for the duration of the term or choose to direct their energy towards undermining council's goals for the duration of the term;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that we lobby the Minister of Government Relations and Aboriginal Affairs to amend The Rural Municipality Act, 1989 to have newly elected officials take office at the meeting of council immediately following their election.

Response from the Honourable Ron Osika, Minister of Government Relations:

After consulting with the SARM Board of Directors, GRAA is proposing this amendment be made to The Rural Municipality Act, 1989 in spring 2003. The proposed amendment will have councillors elected under the provisions of The Rural Municipality Act, 1989 take office in the same manner as councillors elected under the provisions of The Local Government Election Act.