THORHILD, Alta. – Residents in Thorhild County will be heading to the ballot box within the next 90 days after Municipal Affairs Minister Danielle Larivee removed three councillors, including the reeve, from office.
An official administrator will handle the county’s affairs until a new council can be established.
A government official confirms the fired members are Reeve Dan Buryn, and councillors Wayne Croswell and Larry Sisson.
The decision comes after a 2015 inspection by the province found the council was not following laws, had bad spending practises and biased decision making.
READ MORE: Alberta orders shakeup of Thorhild County government
“It’s unfortunate when actions like this are required, but the provincial government has a duty to ensure the Municipal Government Act is being followed,” Larivee said in a statement. “The circumstances in this case are extreme and action had to be taken to protect the interests of Thorhild residents.”
In Sept. 2015 then Minister Deron Bilous issued 14 directives to fix the problems, including ordering the council to revoke the appointment of its chief administrative officer and for one councillor to step down. The government says the members removed from office opposed efforts to get the council into compliance.
When reached for comment, Thorhild County’s communications representative told Global News they will let the minister’s comments stand.
With files from The Canadian Press
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