LaSalle council opts for $100K byelection to replace Sue Desjarlais
Desjarlais died in April after serving nearly two decades on council
The Town of LaSalle has opted to hold a byelection to fill a town council seat left vacant by the passing of longtime councillor Sue Desjarlais in April.
Council made the decision at a Tuesday night meeting. They reviewed options including appointments — but ultimately voted in favour of holding a byelection.
The tentative date for the byelection is Oct. 20.
"Council is committed to ensuring that the residents of LaSalle have a voice and the right to vote for their local government," stated LaSalle Mayor Crystal Meloche in a media release.
"A byelection will allow our community to participate directly in selecting a new representative. It also allows fair opportunity for anyone who is eligible to run for a seat on council."
Voting for the Oct. 20 byelection will take place online. The winner will only hold office for roughly a year, since municipal elections are set to take place across Ontario in October 2026.
According to a report prepared by staff, it will cost the municipality about $100,000 to conduct the byelection, not including any staffing resources required.
If town council had decided to appoint someone for the remainder of the term, administration says the cost would have been "minimal."
"A byelection may be the most democratic option to fill the vacancy, but it will also be the most expensive, and by the time the successful candidate is elected, there will only be one year left in the term," the report stated.
Desjarlais died on April 21. She was first elected to LaSalle town council in 2006.