Brampton declares council seat vacant but one resident thinks it’s too late

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Published August 5, 2022 at 5:29 pm

The Superior Court has ruled six councillors broke the municipal act with an illegal appointment.

Brampton council finally declared a council seat vacant after weeks of inaction.

A controversial move to get retired Coun. Elaine Moore temporarily appointed to the Wards 7 and 8 seat before former Councillor Charmaine Williams won her bid for MPP of Brampton Centre in the provincial election, failed. A Superior Court ruled council jumped the gun with the preemptive motion put forward by Coun. Pat Fortini, saying it “passed without lawful jurisdiction” and should be quashed “entirety for illegality.”

This led to a in-fighting and a council standoff. Council members didn’t show up to meetings and therefore they couldn’t achieve quorum. The last meeting was on June 1 but they finally met on Aug. 5.

During the Aug. 5 special meeting, council declared the Williams’ council seat vacant, the first step in getting it filled.

But at least one resident suggests the city just forget about it.

“Don’t replace or fill the vacancy, save the taxpayers money,” said Cody Vatcher. “Taxpayers will save about $30 or $40,000, if you hold off on filling the vacancy.”

Vatcher suggested Fortini pick up the extra work for the remaining weeks of this council’s term.

The municipal election is on Oct. 24.

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