Manitoba government to appoint administrator after four rural councillors resign

The Manitoba government has stepped in after four councillors representing a rural area north of Winnipeg resigned last week.

A spokesperson for the province says it is in the process of appointing an administrator to ensure the day-to-day operations in the Rural Municipality of Armstrong continue while byelections are being planned.

Last month, the province ordered the municipality to train staff on its harassment prevention policy after receiving a complaint.

Nancy Howell, Armstrong’s interim chief administrative officer, says the municipality is working with the province to make sure services aren’t disrupted for its nearly 2,000 residents.

She would not comment on what led to the province’s inspection or why councillors resigned.

Under the province’s Municipal Act, once a quorum is lost, the remaining council members cannot complete their duties as council and all remaining members of the council and the chief administrative officer are deemed to have resigned.

The remaining reeve of Armstrong and one councillor will hold their positions until the province appoints an administrator.

The Canadian Press