Calgary aldermen are preparing to “adopt” a southwest riding if its current representative snares an open provincial seat in a September byelection.
Ward 13 Ald. Diane Colley-Urquhart is running under the Progressive Conservative banner in Calgary-Glenmore for the Sept. 14 byelection, which would likely see the ward remain unfilled if she reclaims the seat for the Tories.
Wanda Seatter, with the city’s election office, said council would determine the need for a byelection should Colley-Urquhart win, but with only a year until the next civic election, it would likely remain vacant.
“It would be like adopt-a-ward — every alderman would take a piece of the committees and the city would keep the aldermanic assistants in place,” she said, noting a report will likely come before council on Sept. 28 if the seat is vacated.
Ald. Brian Pincott, whose ward borders Colley-Urquhart’s, expects he and Ward 14 Ald. Linda Fox-Mellway would shoulder most of the responsibility.
But he doesn’t think local politicians should be discouraged from seeking higher office, even if that means a ward will go under-represented.
“I don’t think you should do anything in any job that inhibits career development,” he said.
Colley-Urquhart said she had discussions with the aldermanic office in June to ensure her constituents will be in good hands should she leave her position prior to the next civic election in 2010.
