Town of Hanover Deputy Mayor Selwyn Hicks will be taking a leave of absence from his position on Hanover Council during the provincial election campaign period.
From May 1st to June 2nd Hicks will run as the Liberal candidate for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound.
A release from the Town says “While there is no legislative requirement that a member of municipal council take a leave of absence or resign their seat while campaigning for a provincial or federal office, Deputy Mayor Hicks has chosen to do so.”
“I am taking a temporary leave knowing I cannot perform my role as Deputy Mayor to the best of my ability while also directing my energy to an election campaign,” stated Hicks, adding, “I want to thank Councillor Harold Fleet for attending Grey County Council meetings as a voice from Hanover in my absence and the rest of Hanover’s council for their continued support.”
The Town says, should the Deputy Mayor be successful in his bid to become the Member of Provincial Parliament for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound, he would be required to resign his seat on Hanover Council.
The release notes, “With 2022 also being a municipal election year, there are specific requirements set out in the Municipal Act respecting a vacancy on council which the Town of Hanover would be required to observe, including the appointment of another individual to council for the remainder of the current council term should that be necessary.”