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Election season

PBCN election dates set

Feb 2, 2021 | 2:00 PM

Barring any issues caused by COVID-19, the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation (PBCN) election remains on track to take place in April.

The nomination meetings are scheduled to take place March 23, followed by advance polls April 8, with the general election Tuesday, April 13.

The election will be for one chief, as well as 14 council members and 12 members for the Council of Elders.

The nomination meetings will be held in Prince Albert at Senator Allen Bird Memorial Centre (PA Urban), Wapawikoscikan School in Pelican Narrows, Southend Band Hall, Gary Morin Memorial Hall in Sandy Bay, Kimosum Pwatinahk Collegiate in Deschambault Lake, DenarePlex at Denare Beach, and Sturgeon Landing school.

A chief and council candidates forum has also been scheduled to take place March 23 after the nomination meetings have concluded. Additional forums may be scheduled.

According to a statement from the PBCN Executive, COVID-19 protocols will be in place for the nomination meetings, advance polls and the election day polls.

“If necessary the election may be postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” the statement said.

The election in April will come four months after the federal court of appeal ruled Clarisse Lecoq was the rightful urban councillor.

Lecoq was initially elected in August, 2019 and received 400 votes, just over 100 more than runner-up Warren McCallum.

McCallum’s subsequent appeal to the band’s election tribunal was granted but Lecoq’s lawyer filed an injunction, which was granted by the Federal Court of Appeal. The application essentially stated the [Election] Tribunal was not properly constituted and did not have the factual basis to set aside the election results.

According to his written decision, Justice P. Favel ultimately agreed and quashed the Appeal Tribunal’s Decision.

nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell