Claris Voyageur – Ft McMurray's Homepage

Swearing In Ceremony in Fort Chipewyan Last Tuesday Makes it Official: Claris Voyageur Now Ward 2 Councillor

Last Tuesday afternoon Claris Voyageur officially became the ward 2 councillor after a swearing in ceremony in Fort Chipewyan at Mamawi Hall. Some of the people who attended the swearing in ceremony were council members, including Fort McMurray Mayor Melissa Blake and councillors Tyran Ault, Jane Stroud, Sheldon Germain, Julia Cardinal, and Lance Bussieres. As the second councillor for Ward 2 Voyageur will be responsible for the Fort Fitzgerald, Fort Chipewyan, and Fort McKay communities along with councillor Julia Cardinal. Voyageur sent an email that read in part “Today is the culmination of an amazing experience. I am humbled at the responsibility my friends and neighbours have trusted me with and I’m looking forward to working with my fellow councilors.” The new council member also made it clear that she will ensure that the voices of the communities that she covers will be heard.

Before the Ward 2 councillor swearing in ceremony for Claris Voyageur Fort McMurray Mayor Melissa Blake told the media as she was leaving for Fort Chipewyan to attend the ceremony “I think it’s wonderful any time we’re able to welcome a new member to the team. But in Claris’ case she’s no stranger to council. She’s in fact been at many of our events with her spouse at the time, Coun. John Chadi.” Winning the election for the Ward 2 councilor position was a victory that was both bitter and sweet at the same time for Claris because the byelection was necessary due to the death of John Chadi who was her spouse.

When former ward 2 councillor John Chadi passed away last year in November everyone knew that he left behind some big shoes to fill, and a byelection was needed to name the new ward 2 councillor. The byelection hinged between Claris Voyageur and a single opponent, Scott Flett, who was previously Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation councillor. There were 274 ballots that were cast in the election and Claris won 173 of these votes to win the race and gain recognition in the ward 2 byelection results. The byelection campaign was 5 long and grueling weeks, and Voyageur emphasized her community involvement, her volunteer activities, and the fact that she is from the local area and knows the region well. In fact part of the campaign for Voyageur was the phrase “no stranger to the region.”.

After the ward 2 byelection results were in Mayor Melissa Blake offered a statement “On behalf of Council, I extend our sincere congratulations to Ms. Voyageur for her win tonight. I look forward to welcoming her to public office. I would also like to thank Mr. Flett for putting his name forward, as well as everyone who voted in the by-election.” New councillor Claris Voyageur also made a statement through email about winning the byelection which stated “It was bitter sweet. I ran a clean campaign, and I will do my best.” For almost 3 decades Voyageur has been responsible for managing the Ayabaskaw Seniors Home in Fort Chipewyan, and she has also been a member of the Fort Chipewyan volunteer fire department for over 20 years. Claris will represent Fort Chipewyan, Fort McKay and Fort Fitzgerald on the council.