Appoint former councillor to fill vacant seat, Kanata North groups urge

Community and business groups in KanataNorth are calling for the city to appoint their former long-time councillor rather than hold a byelection to fill the seat left empty after thisweek's federal election.

Jenna Suddsresigned from councilThursday afterwinning the riding ofKanataCarleton Monday night for the Liberals.

With just 14 months left in the current term, city council must decide whether to hold a byelection. For some in Kanata North, there simply isn't enough time for that.

"It's time for representation," said Barbara Ramsay, chair of the Kanata Greenspace Protection Coalition. "A byelectionwould just not meet that timeline."

Ramsay's coalition is among the signatories ofa letterto the mayor and city clerk that calls for Sudds's successor to be appointed, and suggestsMarianne Wilkinson who served as Kanata North's councillor for decades before retiring in 2018 and wasthe first mayor of Kanata as the best candidate for the interim job.

According to the letter, Wilkinson's "long-term hands-on experience" and her knowledge of the ward's issues, as well as "the deep respect with which she is held by our community," make her a suitable candidate.

Ramsay said it'sa critical time for Kanata North, with the release of the city's official plan, initiatives arounda new tech parkthis fall,and the ongoing court drama over the redevelopment of the Kanata Lakes Golf and Country Club.

"This is about a single opportunitywhere an incredibly knowledgeable, long-serving city councillor and former mayor ... has offered to serve for a shortened period of time," she said.

WATCH | Community groups ask council to shun byelection and appoint new Kanata North councillor

Community groups ask council to shun byelection and appoint new Kanata North councillor

3 years ago

Duration 1:51

Barbara Ramsay, chair of the Kanata Greenspace Protection Coalition, says holding a byelection to replace Coun. Jenna Sudds would take too long and leave Kanata North without representation during deliberations on the citys official plan, which would guide development for the next several decades.

Wilkinson willing

In an interview Friday with CBC News, Wilkinson said she'd be willing to accept the position. The 83-year-old said she has no intention of running for council when the term is up.

"I would be a fill-in, but I would be a fill-in that actually does the job,"Wilkinson said."Because I know the job. I've done it many times."

Coun.Mathieu Fleurytweetedhis support of the former city councillor acting as a bridge until the next municipal election.

Besides Ramsay, the letter is signed bySteve Nichols ofthe BriarbrookBrooksideMorgan's GrantCommunity Association,John Hardieof theCatherwoodCommunity Association, Richard Thibodeau of theCountry Club EstatesCommunity Association, Neil Thomson of the Kanata Beaverbrook Community Association, Lauri Moussafrom theKanata Central BIA and CorinaMarinescu fromKanata LakesCommunity Association.

'Can't put a price on democracy'

Not everyone is in agreement, however.

Former city councillor Bob Monette said he has the utmost respect for Wilkinson but still believesa byelection is the best path forward.

Monette was elected to council in a 2006byelection, serving only nine months left in that term.

"My personal view, I have always kept this view throughout my career, is that you can't put a price on democracy," he said Friday.

Mayor Jim Watson's office said he'd wait to seethe city clerk's recommendation on the options to fill the vacancy before taking a position, with the debate taking place at council's Oct. 13 meeting.

Sudds told CBC Radio's Ottawa Morning on Friday that she agrees it's important to get someone in the role quickly.

"I think that at this point in time, putting a call out for those that are interested in a potential appointment is something we should explore," she said.