Skip to content

Elkhorn Bi-Election Candidates

Two candidates, one a 30-year business man and the other a 33-year-old also in business, are running to represent Elkhorn residents for the Ward 3, bi-election.
Elkhorn Bi-Election

Two candidates, one a 30-year business man and the other a 33-year-old also in business, are running to represent Elkhorn residents for the Ward 3, bi-election.

The need for a bi-election arose when Roland Gagnon stepped down as councillor several months ago.

The contenders, Clayton Canart and Denis Lachapelle both ran against Gagnon in the election following amalgamation, which put Elkhorn into the RM of Wallace-Woodworth.

LaChapelle, long-time owner/operator of D.A.D.’s Repair in Elkhorn, served two years on Elkhorn’s council just prior to amalgamation.

The village is now represented by two committee members –  Corinne Nesbit and Kevin Tutthill  -  and formally on  the RM council by one council position.

With advance polls and online voting, there has been plenty of opportunity for Elkhorn (Ward 3) voters to cast their ballot.

However, the final vote is just a couple days away, on Wednesday, Jan. 11 at Elkhorn Legion Hall between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Lachapelle is involved in community life, serving on the museum board, the handi-van committee, Elkhorn District Chamber of Commerce and he serves as a director on the board of Twin Valley Co-op.

Lachapelle is also on the flood committee and he says, “The main thing I want to see is to continue on the flood control committee.”

This is a project to protect the community from overland flooding from Bosshill Creek.

He says, with most of the preparatory work completed, the dike is expected to be built soon.

Clayton Canart is part of a family owned and operated business. He chuckles, calling himself “a jack of all trades”, acting as foreman, operator and labourer – whatever’s needed in the Canart’s oilfield construction and plumbing business.

He was Elkhorn born and raised and now he and his wife have two very young children.

“I’ve been interested in politics in general for a long time. I ran in the last election against Denis (Lachapelle) and Roland (Gagnon).”

Canart feels he can represent Elkhorn well on the municipal council.

He says, “That’s our voice within the RM. We’ve had a resurgence of youth staying in the community, with the oil industry over the past few years.” He points out the community has grown.

“We have a lot of new development. The EDC has built a few houses. It’s good to have some younger people get involved.”

Canart says he has not been involved in council before, but wants to ensure the community of Elkhorn has someone they can talk to and hear from personally, regarding municipal issues.

 “I want to go there and be open-minded, to work with the other councillors and have our LUD be heard. My biggest thing is to have communication with the people in the community.”

Currently, Canart is Vice-Chair of the Elkhorn District Chamber of Commerce. He is also part of the Bosshill Creek Wildlife Club, a group of outdoor enthusiasts.

Canart sees this as the right time to come onto council, while his children are small.

push icon
Be the first to read breaking stories. Enable push notifications on your device. Disable anytime.
No thanks