D'Arcy Joe Jr. to replace Debra Toporowski at Cowichan Tribes' council table

D’Arcy Joe Jr. will be the newest member of Cowichan Tribes’ council.

Joe replaces Debra Toporowski, who was elected as the NDP MLA for the Cowichan Valley in the provincial election in October, at the First Nation’s governing table. He will be officially sworn in as a councillor of the Cowichan Tribes on Dec. 10.

Joe said he is truly humbled by this opportunity to serve Cowichan Tribes.

“I put my name forward in the 2022 and 2024 council elections because I know that I can be a positive voice for our community,” he said. “I intend to honour my relatives who have previously served on Cowichan Tribes’ council, and I will put the well being of our people first. Huy ch q'u to Debra Toporowski for her time serving Quw'utsun Mustimuhw (Cowichan Tribes). I appreciate her ongoing dedication to all of our people and I wish her the best in her endeavours at the B.C. legislature. May she walk with grace and continue to accomplish great things on this journey.”

Stephanie Atleo, Cowichan Tribes’ director of governance, said that under the First Nation’s custom-election law, if there is a vacancy on council, and the vacancy does not affect the ability of council to maintain quorum, the position can remain vacant, or at council’s discretion, the position can be offered to the candidate who received the next highest number of votes in the most recent election, subject to their acceptance and confirmation of eligibility.

She said that if the candidate, in this case D’Arcy Joe Jr., accepts within seven days and their council eligibility is positive, that candidate can fill the vacant position for the remainder of the original council term.

“In extenuating circumstances, a by-election may be called,’ Atleo said.