Province to step in after majority of councillors in McBride, B.C. resign
Only the mayor and a single councillor remain in office
The B.C. town of McBride is waiting to hear the future of their local government after the majority of its remaining municipal councillors resigned en masse last week.
"In accordance with Section 129 of the Community Charter ... Administration has contacted the Ministry and is waiting for their instruction," said McBride Mayor Lorrane Martin in a statement.
"Please accept my apology for the inconvenience this has caused. We hope to have the situation resolved quickly and get back to business as soon as possible."
The resignations of Ralph Bezanson, Sharon Reichert and Edith Tracy leave the small town, halfway between Prince George, B.C. and Jasper, AB., with just one councillor other than Mayor Martin.
"This is a very unusual circumstance," admitted Minister of Community Peter Fassbender.
Fassbender says he is still gathering facts before he decides whether to appoint interim councillors, or reduce quorum so that Martin and the remaining councillor can pass legislation.
"It's really important for the citizens and taxpayers that they continue to receive the services they require, so my expectation is the mayor and the councillor and the staff will do that."
This isn't the first time McBride's government has seen controversy under Martin. Last year, four employees and one councillor resigned from their position over the course of two months.
Months later, Martin received a threatening phone call, which the municipality claimed was related to a small group of people that were "bullying, harassing and defaming" councillors and municipal staff.
With files from Ash Kelly and The Canadian Press