Five candidates signed up by the deadline March 7 to run for the vacant seat at the Municipality of North Cowichan’s council table in a byelection that will be held on April 12.
They are Joanna Lord, a former teacher who worked in the Cowichan Valley School District and at Vancouver Island University; Raymon Farmere, a computer technician and English as a second-language instructor; small business owner Becky Hogg; David Bellis, a retired teacher and administrator; and Johanne Kemmler, a former trustee for the Cowichan Valley School District.
The byelection was called after North Cowichan Coun. Debra Toporowski resigned her seat after winning as the NDP candidate for the Cowichan Valley in the provincial election that was held in October, 2024.
As well as election day on April 12, advance voting opportunities will take place on April 2 and April 8.
Mayor Rob Douglas said it's great to see so much interest from North Cowichan residents to become a member of council.
"I look forward to working with whoever wins the seat," he said.
"This council has accomplished a lot so far this term, and I'm hoping the new member of council will play an important part during the rest of this council's mandate."
