Chemainus voters will soon have a chance to meet the candidates in the by-election to replace Debra Toporowski on North Cowichan council.
The Chemainus Residents Association is hosting an all-candidates meeting on Thursday, March 27 at the Chemainus 55+ Activity Centre. The meeting will run from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Toporowski was elected NDP MLA for the Cowichan Valley in October’s provincial election, leading to her resignation from North Cowichan’s seven-person council as well as her position on Cowichan Tribes council.
The by-election will be held on April 12 with advance polls open on April 2 and April 8.
To date, two candidates have entered the race. Joanna Lord, a former teacher with strong links to the NDP and the union movement, and retired teacher and administrator David Bellis have filed their nomination papers.
At least one other candidate is expected to enter the race. The deadline to file nomination papers is Friday, March 7.
The current North Cowichan council is led by Mayor Rob Douglas with Tek Manhas, Bruce Findlay, Mike Caljouw, Christopher Justice and Chemainus business owner Chris Istace sitting on council.
The cost of the by-election is budgeted at $121,000, according to North Cowichan officials.