Foulds, Harvey to take leaves of absence during election campaign

Andrew Foulds says an 11-week federal election campaign is unfortunate for municipal politicians seeking higher office on Oct. 19.

Foulds, the councillor for Thunder Bay’s Current River ward, said on Monday he plans to not only take a leave of absence from his city hall role, but will also step aside from teaching science at Superior Collegiate and Vocational Institute until the campaign runs its course.

“The reality is there are mayors and councillors across this country that have decided to put their names forward for this federal election,” said Foulds, who is running for the NDP in Thunder Bay-Superior North, more than a year after an unsuccessful provincial bid in the same riding.

“I commend all of them that want to serve at another order of government. I think it is unfortunate that (Prime Minister Stephen) Harper has decided that an 11-week election is the way to go.”

But, the three-term municipal representative said, residents won’t be left without a voice.

“Unlike many mayors and councillors across the country, Thunder Bay is positioned well for situations like this. We have both ward councillors and at-large councillors,” Foulds said.

“Current River will continue to be served by five at-large councillors.”

Foulds said if any ward-specific issues arise during the campaign, residents can turn to Couns. Larry Hebert, Rebecca Johnson, Iain Angus, Aldo Ruberto and Frank Pullia for assistance.

City clerk John Hannam said while there are no requirements in place to force a sitting councillor seeking higher office to temporarily step aside, it has been past practice to do so.

Johnson ran provincially for the Conservatives in 2007, while Minister of Natural Resources Bill Mauro stepped away during the 2003 Ontario election.

Should Foulds be successful in his bid, that’s an entirely different matter, Hannam said.

“If Coun. Foulds is elected, council is required to declare his seat vacant at its next meeting and then I have to set a nomination date within 60 days of that declaration and then hold the byelection within 45 days of the nomination date,” Hannam said, reached via email.

“So there is some variability as to when the byelection might actually be held.”

Hannam added residents are free to ask any councillor for assistance during the campaign period.

Foulds isn’t the only candidate taking a leave from municipal office.

Nipigon Mayor Richard Harvey is running for the Conservatives in Thunder Bay-Superior North and said he has a few loose ends to tie up and will also step aside temporarily.

Nipigon won’t be without leadership during his absence, he said.

“We have acting mayors, so rather than a deputy mayor, it rotates through and the appropriate councillor takes turns being acting mayor,” Harvey said.