(Photo: Elections New Brunswick)
Municipal elections are among the many events pushed back as a result of the pandemic.
Elections New Brunswick is anticipating by-elections to take place in the fall, with guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19, but municipal elections will likely be delayed until May 2021.
In Saint John, the delay means another year in office for Mayor Don Darling, who previously had announced he would not be re-offering for election.
He says the extra year in office is an opportunity to keep working towards financial sustainability for the city.
“I believe we’re the first council to ever serve a five-year term in the city’s 235-year history and there’s no shortage of work to do,” Darling said.
In addition to mitigating financial shortfalls as a result of the pandemic, the mayor says Saint John’s council will continue their mandate.
Darling says he remains “laser-focused” on accelerating the city’s growth outcomes, getting to a more sustainable financial situation, and reaching key transformational reforms including tax reforms and regional cost-sharing.
Despite another year in office, Darling says he isn’t reconsidering his decision to move on from the position.
“The decision was very difficult, but the right decision for me and my family,” he said. “This is the most rewarding work I’ve ever done and the most difficult work I’ve ever done.”
Brittany Merrifield is a Grand Bay-Westfield resident who is planning to offer for mayor in the next election.
Incumbent mayor Grace Losier said in February she would not re-offer, and Merrifield is frustrated by the delay to the municipal elections, though she says it’s important to ensure elections are able to be held safely.
“The constituents are looking forward to a change as well, and, any of the candidates are waiting to see what happens and maybe thinking that May next year is a little far,” Merrifield said.
She says Elections NB should consider looking into the options of advanced polling to help keep New Brunswickers safe at the ballot box.
