Eastern Ontario town forgoes byelection after mayor resigns
Residents of the Township of Russell, Ont., won't be headed to the polls anytime soon, despite the resignation of the municipality's longtime mayor.
Pierre Leroux resigned from council earlier this month citing toxic political discourse, especially on social media.
He was elected as a councillor in 2010 before becoming mayor in 2014.
Pierre Leroux stepped down as mayor of the Township of Russell in early April. He cited rising hostility both online and in person since the pandemic. (Chantal Dubuc/Radio-Canada)
On Monday night, the town council appointed Coun. Mike Tarnowski to replace Leroux until the next regular election.
Tarnowski, who is originally from Montreal, has lived in Embrun, Ont., southeast of Ottawa, for nearly 30 years with his wife and two children. He works at Algonquin College.
2nd mayor in region to resign
Leroux isn't the first mayor in the region to resign this year for similar reasons.
France Bélisle stepped down as mayor of Gatineau, Que., in February.
The city's first female mayor said the climate was often hostile. She was one of nearly 800 elected officials in Quebec who have stepped down from their roles since 2021.
In Russell, Tarnowski will formally take over mayoral duties on May 27. In the meantime, Coun. Jamie Laurin will continue as acting mayor.
Laurin told Radio-Canada after Monday's meeting that he would have preferred holding a byelection.
"In the community, citizens tell me that they want a byelection. This is why I said it [Monday] evening, but the three councillors who can vote chose to appoint Mr. Tarnowski as mayor," he said in a French interview.
Council will now have to decide whether to hold a byelection for Tarnowski's council vacancy.
The next municipal election is set to be held in 2026.
