The Council Vacancy Policy is intended to help guide the process in the event a vacancy on Council occurs in the future.

The current review of vacancy policy options was directed following a recent appointment process.

What are the available options to fill a vacancy?

Council may choose to fill a Council vacancy by way of a by-election, or by appointing an eligible individual. The Municipal Elections Act, 1996 (the Act) does not prescribe regulations to assist Council in determining which method is appropriate.

If a by-election were to be chosen, the process is largely set out in the Act, with prescribed dates for a nomination day and voting day. The candidate receiving the most votes would be declared elected to the vacant seat.

If an appointment process was chosen, the Act prescribes when the appointment must be made but it does not provide guidance on the precise process used in determining who or how the appointment will be made by Council.

Have your say

In addition to engagement opportunities available on Connect Oshawa, the community is invited to:

• attend a Public Open House on Wednesday, October 18 between 6:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. in the Committee Room at City Hall where staff will provide a brief presentation and be available for questions and discussion.
• complete the survey in-person at Service Oshawa.

Feedback can be provided until Wednesday, October 25, after which it will be summarized and presented, along with a recommended Council Vacancy Policy, to a Public Meeting held by Council at 6:30 p.m. on November 15, 2017 in the Council Chambers at City Hall.

Please note you do not need to register to address Council at this meeting.