Victoria County councillor declared elected after returning officer draws name from box

Wanda Hennick Emerges as Councillor in Northern Cape Breton

In an unexpected turn of events, Wanda Hennick has been declared elected as a councillor in northern Cape Breton after her name was drawn from a box in Sydney provincial court on Friday. This decision came after Hennick and her cousin, Amy MacKinnon, found themselves tied with the most votes in District 8 following last month’s municipal elections in Victoria County.

According to Nova Scotia’s Municipal Elections Act, in the event of a tie confirmed by a judicial recount, the councillor is chosen by lot. Judge Dan MacRury oversaw the recount process, which involved generating electronic results from a laptop computer since paper ballots were not used in the county. The final step involved writing the two names on equal-sized pieces of paper, folding them up, and placing them in a box. After shaking the box, returning officer Blair Gallop drew out Hennick’s name, solidifying her position as the councillor for District 8.

Following the draw, Hennick expressed her intention to work towards changing the law to restore voters’ faith in democracy, citing the dissatisfaction among constituents in District 8 about the selection process. She also highlighted her priorities of seeking more financial support for volunteer fire departments, museums, and community halls in the area.

Despite the competitive nature of the election, Hennick and MacKinnon maintained a friendly relationship throughout the process. Even after the tie, they continued to communicate regularly, emphasizing their shared goal of looking out for the best interests of District 8. The light-hearted banter between the cousins added a sense of camaraderie to the situation.

Looking ahead, Hennick is set to join the rest of the council and be sworn in at a special meeting during a provincial conference in Halifax. This meeting will also see Victoria County councillors voting on a new warden. Chief administrative officer Leanne MacEachen expressed her surprise at the method of choosing a councillor but acknowledged that it is in line with provincial legislation. The council will determine the date of the first regular meeting following the special events in Halifax.

Overall, Wanda Hennick’s journey to becoming a councillor in northern Cape Breton is a testament to the unpredictable nature of politics. Her commitment to serving her community and addressing key issues sets a positive tone for her upcoming tenure on the council.