City council held a special meeting Wednesday morning to discuss replacing Osgoode city councillor George Darouze, who was elected as MPP on Thursday and will resign his seat on council to represent the Carleton riding in the Queen’s Park legislature.
City process requires Darouze, who has represented Osgoode on council since 2014, to officially resign his seat on city council on March 26, at which time either a byelection is triggered or a replacement is appointed to the seat.
On Wednesday, council unanimously directed staff to lay the groundwork for a byelection process to replace Darouze.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe said he believes a byelection was the right choice because the current city council is only halfway through its term.
“I find it interesting that municipal government is the only level of government where there is a choice in the matter,” said Sutcliffe. “If a seat federally or provincially is vacated, it’s automatic that it’s filled with a by-election.
“I think the default should always be a by-election, unless there’s a good reason for there to be an appointment,” he continued. “In this case, it’s far enough from the next election that the voters of Osgoode deserve to have a voice in the decision.”
In the meantime, Orléans South-Navan Coun. Katherine Kitts and Rideau-Jock Coun. David Brown have been appointed to oversee Osgoode ward.
Council is expected to officially declare Darouze’s seat vacant at the next council meeting, which is on March 26, and pass a motion requiring a byelection. The byelection must then be held between 75 and 105 days later, city staff said, so Osgoode residents will likely cast their vote in June 2025.
