Written By David Gomez, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
SOUTHWEST MIDDLESEX – The Municipality has formally declared one of the Ward 3 council seats vacant following the resignation of councillor Amy Choi. The decision was made during the February 5 council meeting, marking the first step in a process to determine how the position will be filled.
Choi’s resignation was submitted in writing earlier that week. CAO Amanda Gubbels presented the report to council, outlining the legal requirements under the Municipal Act. “The first step of that process is for council to pass a resolution declaring the seat vacant,” Gubbels explained. The motion was moved by councillor Ed Myers and seconded by councillor Don McCallum before being carried unanimously.
Declaring the vacancy initiates a timeline in which council must decide how to proceed. Under provincial regulations, a municipality has 60 days from the declaration—until April 5, 2025—to either appoint a replacement or hold a by-election. A report detailing these options will be presented at the next council meeting on February 19.
Before moving to the next agenda item, Mayor Allan Mayhew acknowledged Choi’s contributions to the municipality. “She, along with other councillors among us, have left a legacy in our governance, and she will be missed,” he said. “In addition, Councillor Choi’s ambitions went beyond the table, and she was very active in the community as well.”
No details were provided regarding Choi’s reason for stepping down, and she has not publicly commented on her resignation.
With the formal vacancy now declared, attention shifts to the February 19 meeting, where council will weigh its options for filling the seat.
