TAMRMS#: B06
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2021 Election - Appointment of Returning Officer and Substitute Returning Officer
Presented by: David Leflar, Director of Legal and Legislative Services
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RECOMMENDED MOTIONS
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1. That the City employee holding the position of Chief Legislative Officer/City Clerk be appointed as Returning Officer for the 2021 Municipal Election.
2. That the City employee holding the position of Deputy City Clerk be appointed as Substitute Returning Officer for the 2021 Municipal Election.
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PURPOSE OF REPORT
The purpose of this report is to recommend that Council appoint a Returning Officer and a Substitute Returning Officer for the 2021 general municipal election.
ALIGNMENT TO PRIORITIES IN COUNCIL’S STRATEGIC PLAN
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ALIGNMENT TO MANDATORY STATUTORY PROVISION
The Local Authorities Election Act has recently been amended, including new language to provide for appointment of both a Returning Officer and a Substitute Returning Officer.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
Planning for the 2021 General Municipal Election has commenced, focusing on a collaborative effort across the organization in order to ensure a successful election with no significant issues in any aspect, including: acceptance of nominations, lawful conduct of campaigns, preparation of ballots, establishment of voting stations (including advance voting opportunities), voting, counting the votes, timely reporting of unofficial results and accurate certification of final results.
One significant new feature of municipal elections in 2021 is that persons wishing to run for Council or Mayor may submit their nomination papers at any time between January 1 and Nomination Day, which means that both of the statutory positions of Returning Officer and Substitute Returning Officer must be properly appointed and have taken their oath of office prior to January 1, 2021. Traditionally the person holding the position of City Clerk (now also known as Chief Legislative Officer) fulfills all the duties of Returning Officer for a municipal election, or is responsible for appointing persons to ensure those duties are carried out. The office of "substitute returning officer" is new to the legislation and is intended to ensure that in the event of a sudden departure or unavailability of the Returning Officer, the election process can carry on with no disruption. Logically, the Deputy City Clerk would be the appropriate person to be appointed as substitute returning officer.
ALTERNATIVES AND IMPLICATIONS CONSIDERED
N/A
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Report Date: December 21, 2020
Author: David Leflar
Department: Legal & Legislative Services
Deputy Chief Administrative Officer: Kerry Hilts
Chief Administrative Officer: Kevin Scoble