Fort McPherson's hamlet election postponed after 2 candidates found ineligible

More than two years after their hamlet council was disbanded by the territorial government, Fort McPherson residents were getting ready to head to the polls and elect a new council.

But that election won't happen Monday — election day for the territory's hamlets — as Fort McPherson's vote has been suspended by N.W.T.'s chief municipal electoral officer.

The suspension is due to two candidates being deemed ineligible.

"There were eligibility concerns that were raised and when we looked at the timelines that the legislation lays out, basically due to the required processes related to the posting of candidates prior to election, it's not possible to proceed," said Bob Brooks, N.W.T.'s chief municipal electoral officer.

He said this would be the case even if the candidates in question withdrew. The election was to select a mayor and eight councillors.

"We realized we had to start the process over again," he said.

"We couldn't just fix it ... In order for us to stay within legislation, it basically meant we had to start all over again which is unfortunate but that way everyone is on the same footing."

On Dec. 3, Brooks issued a public notice to suspend the election and called all the candidates personally.

Although Brooks says the two candidates were considered ineligible for different reasons, they were both found ineligible under section 20 of the Local Authorities Election Act. Section 20 lists four reasons a person can be ineligible to stand as a candidate for mayor or council, most of which involve owing money to the hamlet.

Brooks wouldn't say which candidates were found ineligible or which subsections applied in the two cases.

A new election date should be decided by Friday, and is expected to be in mid-February.

Brooks said if the candidates in question become eligible by the restart of the election, they can run again.

• N.W.T. removes powers from Fort McPherson hamlet council
• Fort McPherson hamlet status to be reinstated, $2M debt wiped

In July 2014 the Government of the Northwest Territories took governing powers away from the Hamlet of Fort McPherson and placed it under administrative management after the hamlet racked up a $2 million deficit. To pay down the debt, water rates nearly doubled and user fees were hiked in the community of fewer than 800.

Its hamlet status is to be reinstated with the election of a new mayor and council.