Newly elected NDP MLA for Kootenay-Monashee Steve Morissette will chair his last council meeting as Fruitvale’s mayor in just four days.
After several days of delays, Election BC announced that the NDP gained a seat during the final count on Monday, Oct. 28 and will finish with a slim majority of 47 seats, while the Conservatives claimed 44 and the Green Party, 2.
Morissette won his seat in Kootenay-Monashee with more than 52 per cent of the vote, and will carry on the NDP mantle previously held by retired MLA Katrine Conroy. As a result, his tenure as Fruitvale’s mayor will end.
“It will come to an official end on Tuesday,” said Morissette. “I am going to chair my last council meeting on Monday, Nov. 4, and will resign effective Nov. 5.”
Once the Village of Fruitvale appoints a Chief Elections Officer, a by-election for mayor must be held within 80 days of the appointment.
In the interim, council members will be designated acting mayor until the election, which Morissette anticipates will likely take place in February or March next year.
Morissette was first voted to Fruitvale council in 2014. He was elected Mayor in 2018, won by acclamation in 2022, and has spent the past decade serving the community.
As mayor, Morissette has navigated the village through its share of challenges such as the COVID pandemic, a controversial demolition of a middle school building, and an unpopular FortisBC substation site.
“In my time on council, we have had good councils and thoughtful councils, and it’s like anything, you have big challenges, you just take it a step at a time and keep moving forward,” Morissette told the Trail Times. “That’s all you can do, and that’s how you get through those challenges.”
Morissette has also been the driving force behind several key projects, such as the 37-seat daycare and a 31-unit fully accessible affordable housing complex, a unique active transportation plan, not to mention a brand new little league baseball park, completed this fall.
“I am really proud of what we got done,” said Morissette. “There’s also some really good things coming up, like the park and gazebo behind the hall, where people can have their weddings and celebrations, then move into the hall, and attract more activity downtown.”
As for his advice for Fruitvale’s next mayor, Morissette recommends a positive and progressive look forward.
“Keep leaning forward, be progressive and develop some projects to help our tax base.”
Morissette points to the accessible affordable housing complex, which will support the municipal economy and help businesses thrive in the downtown core.
The newly elected NDP MLA for Kootenay-Monashee travelled to Victoria for training and caucus meetings this week, and looks forward to returning next month for a swearing-in ceremony of the new NDP government.
B.C. NDP leader David Eby was asked to form a government late Monday afternoon by Lt.-Gov. Janet Austin. With the final absentee and special ballots counted, the NDP have won a majority, and Conservative leader John Rustad conceded.
Eby agreed to form a government, saying, “We will work hard every day to earn the trust you have placed in us.”
