Alderman returns salary during byelection

Ald. Diane Colley-Urquhart says she is returning her salary to city hall while she runs for a seat in a provincial byelection.

Urquhart resigned as a commissioner with the Alberta Human Rights Commission when she was acclaimed as the Alberta Progressive Conservative candidate in Calgary Glenmore in June.

Although she didn't want to give up her Ward 13 seat on council, she said she would take a leave of absence once the byelection was called.

Colley-Urquhart has since changed her mind, which had some opponents suggesting a propensity for not keeping promises. The alderman at first didn't want to comment, but spoke to CBC News at a campaign rally Thursday night.

"When I decided to run … I met with my community presidents and also my land use [and] mobility advisory council and we had a discussion about it and they were very anxious for me to stay on. So that's what I did," she said.

Since the writ was dropped she has returned her council salary and intends to resign her council seat if she wins in Calgary Glenmore, she said.

The byelection is on Sept. 14 — which is also the first full meeting of city council following its summer break.

"I haven't completely decided one way or another what I'll do, but I'm sort of leaning on probably not attending that meeting," Colley-Urquhart said.