South Bruce Peninsula council has declared its mayor’s seat vacant, starting the process of replacing Garry Michi.
Michi resigned August 29th after making comments about the neighbouring Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation, which the First Nation described as revealing a, “colonial and racist perspective about Indigenous peoples,” and calling for his resignation.
The Town of South Bruce Peninsula and Bruce County also made statements distancing themselves from Michi’s comments which had circulated in an audio clip, and Saugeen First Nation condemned Michi’s comments as well.
Council made the formal declaration of vacancy at its regular meeting Tuesday as required by the Ontario Municipal Act.
Now they’ll wait for staff reports outlining the options for filling the vacancy. According to a staff report presented Tuesday, those reports are expected in the ‘near future.’
Council’s declaration says within 60 days, it will either fill the vacancy by appointment, or adopt a bylaw requiring a byelection to be held.
Michi released a statement of apology following his resignation saying he deeply regrets the words he used when talking about the neighbouring Indigenous community.
Deputy Mayor Jay Kirkland is acting as head of council while the process of filling the mayor’s seat unfolds.