Rebecca Alty has won election as the NWT’s next MP. That creates a mayor-shaped vacancy at City Hall in Yellowknife.
We first published this article on March 22, examining what might happen if Alty won. We’ve updated and republished this article on April 29 to set out what is likely to happen next.
Alty began an unpaid leave of absence in March that lasted throughout the election period.
Ben Hendriksen, the deputy mayor, acted in place of Alty at City Hall for most of that time.
With Alty having won, there are three options for filling the vacancy that is created in the mayor’s office.
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Council can choose to hold a by-election, at which Yellowknifers would be given a fresh slate of candidates. Whoever is elected would become mayor until the next full municipal election, which is scheduled for October 19, 2026.
Alternatively, the remaining council members could appoint a sitting councillor to take over as mayor until that election. So far, several councillors have said this is their preferred approach.
The remaining councillors who take the job are (in order of last name):
- Stacie Arden-Smith
- Garett Cochrane
- Ryan Fequet
- Ben Hendriksen
- Cat McGurk
- Tom McLennan
- Steve Payne
- Rob Warburton
The third option available in the legislation is to simply leave the position unfilled until the 2026 municipal election. Council hasn’t sounded too keen on this option, as it would mean Yellowknife doing without a designated mayor for more than a year.
The next time councillors meet will be at council’s governance and priorities committee on Monday, May 5.
Replacing Alty is expected to be an item on that meeting’s agenda.
