Province releases some details on election to replace mayor and council in northern Ont. town

Black River-Matheson no longer has a sitting town council, after it failed to meet for more than 60 days due to lack of attendance. (Photo from video)

While there’s no election date in place yet, the province is detailing how a new mayor and council will be put in place in Black River-Matheson.

Paul Calandra, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, ordered the mayor and council to vacate their seats this week after a turbulent period in the community.

An ongoing municipal strike, court battles and revolt by half of council prompted the move by province. The province will appoint someone to lead the town until the byelection is held.

In a message to CTV News, Calandra’s office said day of the election will be set between 30 and 60 days from the day council was booted from office, which was April 29, also called the nomination day.

“Voting day shall be 45 days after nomination day,” Calandra’s office said.

According to ministry records, the last time a municipal council was declared vacant was in 1993 in the former Township of Front of Escott, now part of the Township of Leeds and The Thousand Islands.