THORHILD, Alta. – Three Thorhild County council members fired by the province will keep their jobs until at least May 13.
On Friday, a judge extended an injunction against the dismissal of Thorhild Reeve Dan Buryn and councillors Wayne Croswell and Larry Sisson.
Buryn, Croswell and Sisson were dismissed last week over concerns about council infighting, conflict of interest and poor decision-making.
Alberta Municipal Affairs Minister Danielle Larivee said they also refused to comply with a directive to hire a chief administrative officer with experience.
“Following a very long series of interactions with them, it’s gotten to the point where I’ve been forced to say that the only way I can restore orderly, responsible government to Thorhild is to remove the three individuals,” Larivee said.
READ MORE: Fired Thorhild County councillors granted injunction
A judge granted a temporary injunction, which was extended Friday in Edmonton’s Court of Queen’s Bench.
READ MORE: Rally planned in Thorhild to support councillors fired by province
Thursday, more than 50 people rallied outside the county office in Thorhild, northeast of Edmonton, to show support for the three councillors.
Rally organizer Kathleen Bruce said the government’s decision to fire the councillors was based on a report that is full of errors.
“I think if three councillors should be dismissed, five councillors should be dismissed – not just single out three,” Bruce said.
“I don’t think there’s any basis for them being dismissed at this point in time.”
Croswell said the councillors are heartened by the show of support and have asked for a judicial review of the report.
While most of the protesters were there to support the councillors, a couple of people showed up to voice their support for the province’s decision to fire them.
“Buryn, Sisson and Croswell have done as much as they could to see our county go down the drain,” Vivian Prodanyk said. “Many noticed the way these three were planning on ruining Thorhild and our county.”
The government declined comment because the case is before the courts.
With files from The Canadian Press
*EDITOR’S NOTE: This article was originally published March 17 during the rally and was updated March 18 with news of the injunction extension.