Belleville City Council has decided on how it will fill its vacant seat on council at its meeting on Monday.
Council has voted in favour of appointing the eighth place finisher in Ward 1 in the 2022 municipal election, Kelly McCaw, to the vacant seat.
This is under the condition that she confirms her interest in accepting the appointment, and that she meets the eligibility requirements to hold office as a member of council in accordance with the Municipal Act.
McCaw has already indicated to Quinte News that she will accept the appointment.
“It’s been two years off of council and I’ve missed it, so I’m quite happy that this was the outcome,” McCaw tells Quinte News after the decision was made.
The seat was left vacant after former councillor and now Member of Parliament Chris Malette won the 2025 federal election in the Bay of Quinte riding.
McCaw indicated to Quinte News that she will be looking at reaching out to residents while she is slated to return to the council seat.
“I’m even considering putting together an online survey just to get a feel from residents on what they feel is most important to what they would like me to address while I’m there,” McCaw said.
“I mean, these are things that I have considered in the last few weeks, because ultimately, it’s not really my decision on what happens. It’s what the residents want, and I’m there to represent them, so I want to hear their voices and what they would like me to address.”
McCaw says she will also be speaking with other councillors to look at the priorities that have been set for the group and how they can collaborate with each other.
Two options were presented to council. Either call a by-election or appoint a new councillor.
A by-election would have cost approximately $200,000 according to city staff including retaining the internet- and telephone-voting provider, and Canada Post to mail voter information letters.
The appointment process options included selecting the second-highest-place Ward 1 councillor candidate from the 2022 municipal election, make a call for applications for the role, or make a direct appointment.
There are no costs associated with the appointment process.
Staff recommended city council appoint the second-highest-place Ward 1 councillor candidate who did not win in the 2022 municipal election to fill the vacant council seat.
The highest placed candidate, Margaret Seu, filled the role after current MPP Tyler Allsopp won a provincial by-election in the Bay of Quinte riding.
Once confirmed, it would be the sixth appointment of a member of Belleville City Council since 2001.
The city says in a release that details on a swearing-in ceremony will be provided when available.
