John-Paul Danko is no longer the city councillor for Ward 8.
Earlier today, the extra edition of the Canada Gazette was published, and he became ineligible to sit on City Council as per Section 258(1) of the Municipal Act.
In a break from convention, Danko continued to hold his municipal council seat following his election to Parliament.
He attended Wednesday’s Council meeting with the primary goal of draining all Ward 8 councillor discretionary funds. He succeeded in spending the entire 2025 budget and reserve amounts. His final motion, to spend the 2026 budget, was defeated.
During Wednesday’s meeting, Danko tested the goodwill of his fellow council members, was out-of-order at one point and had to apologize, and generally acted in a manner unbecoming of a parliamentarian.
(At one point, Danko joked that the Integrity Commissioner will lose money without him on Council, causing complaints and investigations.)
Post-meeting, Danko explained he felt there was much work remaining to be done in his councillor role and that he did not know for sure when he would resign.
“I still have a whole lot of loose ends to tie up,” Danko stated. “We’re still working in the Ward Eight office … as of right now, I’m still finishing off a whole bunch of things.”
Danko’s Vacanting Office Triggers By-Election Timeline
Earlier this week, City Clerk Matthew Trennum stated he would separately present the two resolutions which City Council must pass.
With the seat vacant, Council will vote on May 28 to acknowledge the vacancy.
On June 18, Council will enact a bylaw calling the by-election. [A majority of council members stated they want a by-election.]
The Municipal Elections Act requires a 30-day nomination period, followed by a 45-day campaign period.
The earliest by-election voting day would be Tuesday, September 2.
In all likelihood, voting day will be in mid-to-late September.
Production Details
v. 1.0.0
Published: May 9, 2025
Last updated: May 9, 2025
Author: Joey Coleman
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v. 1.0.0 original version