Manitoba Indigenous and Municipal Relations advises that Roger Bouvier, a retired municipal services officer and chief administrative officer, has been appointed as the administrator for the Rural Municipality (RM) of Ritchot.
Under Section 103 of The Municipal Act, the lieutenant-governor in council may appoint an administrator for the municipality if the number of members of a council is fewer than required for a quorum or if a council resigns.
This appointment comes after the resignation of three council members that resulted in the RM of Ritchot council losing quorum. A council without quorum is unable to hold council meetings or make decisions on behalf of the municipality.
The existing council and chief administrative officer of the municipality are deemed to have resigned from office by way of the appointment of an administrator under The Municipal Act. The existing CAO will be immediately rehired by administrator to ensure continuity of administration. The administrator has been directed to call a byelection as soon as reasonably possible to elect a new council for the municipality to ensure decisions are made by local representatives.
The administrator will oversee the day-to-day business of the municipality and respond to any emergency situations that may arise until the new council is elected.
