By Mark Squibb
Former Witless Bay councillor Margaret Swain has appealed council’s decision to dismiss her from council and will be taking the matter to the Supreme Court.
Due to Swain’s appeal, Minister of Municipal Affairs John Haggie has approved the Town’s request to defer a byelection for one of three council vacancies until February 19, 2025, pending the outcome of the appeal. That approval came on Tuesday May 14, one day ahead of the Town’s Nomination Day.
A further snag occurred on Nomination Day itself, when only one candidate offered to run. Recent Mobile Central High School graduate Justina Nawaz was the sole candidate to step forward and was acclaimed to council. She could not be reached for comment Thursday.
The lack of contenders for a byelection will leave two seats vacant on council as it awaits the conclusion of Swain’s appeal.
Swain was kicked off council over an allegation of conflict of interest in February.
The rookie councillor was accused by councillors Ralph Carey and Gerard Dunne of having broken the rules by discussing at council a proposed Land Reserve for Ragged Beach when she has friends who own land in the area. Deputy Mayor Lorna Yard and her husband and fellow councillor Alan Richards voted in support of Carey’s motion. Mayor Trevor Croft and councillor Jacob Hayden voted against it. The motion carried, and Swain was ejected from office. Yard and Richards have since quit council, which along with Swain’s ejection was the reason for the byelection call to fill three seats.
Swain would not comment on her appeal this week.
