On Tuesday the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo started to prepare for a byelection in order to replace Guy Boutlier, who recently resigned and was a source of controversy for some Fort MacMurray residents. The byelection will be held on March 30 so that residents will have an opportunity to choose a replacement. Coun. Tyran Ault said “It’s been a controversial and interesting 15 months for our term on council. There’s no shortage of topics for candidates to discuss.” Guy Boutilier won election in 2013, and over the last few months there have been allegations that the politician did not actually meet the residency requirements for the council seat that he won. So far none of the allegations have been proven in court but Boutilier resigned in spite of this.

The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo byelection to replace Guy Boutilier has advantages and disadvantages. Since council members serve for a 4 year term Boutilier was expected to serve until 2017 at least. Fort MacMurray Mayor Melissa Blake said “The advantage of having a byelection at this time would be that folks that have a keen new interest in what’s going on in the municipal world may step forward. The downside that I see is that it’s a terrible challenge to get a byelection to have a lot of participation.” Coun. Tyran Ault also stated “My biggest worry is that we’re going to be burned out … and that’s going to cause voter apathy to go through the roof. It helps the municipality to get out ahead. By the time the federal election comes? Ugh.”