Rennie Harper resigns as mayor of Nipawin

By Susan McNeil

Rennie Harper has resigned her position as mayor of Nipawin, a job she held since 2016.

The town confirmed the resignation on Monday, about six weeks after council hired an Alberta company to investigate her conduct as mayor.

The company, Bloom CME, was also on the agenda for Monday’s meeting, but only for the in camera portion.

“Given that the formal resignation of the mayor was received prior to the presentation of the concluded investigation to council, a change in the status of the provision of information is in effect,” the town said in an emailed statement.

Given that the resignation did not happen in an election year, the town must now call a byelection within six months.

Deputy Mayor Sheldon Chornawka has been acting as chairperson for several meetings at which Harper was not present.

The next general election is in fall 2024.

The investigation was done under the Code of Ethics bylaw regarding conduct of councillors.