Manitoba council to appeal court decision over ousted councillor
A rural Manitoba council is planning to appeal a judge's decision overturning its attempt to kick out a rookie councillor.
The legal battle between the Rural Municipality of Thompson and Coun. Donna Cox is not over yet. During a special meeting of council held on Monday afternoon, the council decided they would be returning to court.
"Based on the interpretation of the municipal act, Council is in disagreement with the outcome of the court case," reads the resolution of council, which is posted on its website.
This comes after a Manitoba judge blasted the rural municipality earlier in February, saying they 'failed miserably' to communicate or compromise, while making changes they knew would set her up to fail.
READ MORE: 'Failed miserably': Court blasts rural Manitoba council for trying to oust elected official
The council disqualified Cox in May 2023, something the province said only the court has the power to do. The RM then went to court to defend its decision, saying Cox had missed three consecutive council meetings or local urban district (LUD) committee meetings without leave.
"Critically, I have no doubt the absences were not a matter of neglect, irresponsibility, or intention to flout her obligations to attend meetings," Manitoba Court of King's Bench Justice Chris Martin said in his decision.
Martin noted council changed the meeting times, making it difficult for Cox to attend, if not, prevent her from attending altogether.
"With those changes, it should have been clear she was bound to fail," he wrote.
In his decision, Martin said Cox remains as an elected councillor.
The RM of Thompson's council is directing its lawyers to proceed with an appeal of that decision. The vote was unanimous, with the exception of Cox who abstained.
CTV News has reached out for a comment from the RM and is awaiting a response.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Body found in Montreal park identified as cryptocurrency influencer
The body of a man that was found in a park in the Ahunstic-Cartierville borough last month has been identified as cryptocurrency influencer Kevin Mirshahi.
Former B.C. premier John Horgan dies at 65
Former B.C. premier John Horgan, who helped the provincial NDP return to power after 16 years on the sidelines, has died.
Here's why thieves may be stealing butter in Canada
The case of the missing butter remains a mystery, but some have ideas on what's behind the unusual crimes.
Quebec officer suspended 15 days for throwing away piece of victim's skull
A Quebec provincial police officer has been suspended for 15 days without pay after throwing part of a young motorcycle accident victim's skull into a ravine in 2021.
History in Halifax is slowly being wiped off the map: study
Saint Mary's University archeologist Jonathan Fowler is sounding an alarm with a new study. According to Fowler, the centuries-old architecture that adds to Halifax’s heritage and historic vibe is slowly being wiped away as the city grows.
B.C. teen with Canada's first human case of avian flu in critical condition, Dr. Bonnie Henry says
The teenager who is sick with the first-ever human case of avian influenza acquired in Canada is in hospital in critical condition, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said Tuesday.
Union says it will challenge Ottawa's intervention in B.C. port work stoppages
The union representing locked-out port workers in British Columbia says it plans to challenge the federal government's intervention in the ongoing labour dispute.
Ottawa high school principal apologizes for song played during Remembrance Day assembly
The principal of an Ottawa high school is apologizing to students, parents and guardians after an Arabic-language song was played during the school's Remembrance Day service. The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board is conducting a "thorough investigation" to ensure it "is addressed appropriately and meaningfully."
2-year-old gorilla 'Eyare' dies unexpectedly at Calgary Zoo
A young gorilla at the Calgary Zoo has died. The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo announced a member of its western lowland gorilla troop passed away unexpectedly, in a news release Tuesday.