Senator Charles Whitecap, centre, is the new electoral officer for the PBCN. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Another election do-over

Peter Ballantyne election in new hands

Oct 25, 2019 | 1:32 PM

The newly appointed electoral officer for Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation (PBCN) promises to run a fair election next month, in accordance with the band’s election act.

Charles Whitecap, who was also recently appointed a Senator during Prince Albert’s Grand Council’s Annual Assembly, has experience running federal, provincial and First Nations elections including four with Lac la Ronge Indian Band.

“My focus is to run the election in accordance to the election act,” he said.

The byelection for the PBCN urban councilor seat has been scheduled for Nov. 28 at Senator Allen Memorial Gymnasium.

Whitecap takes over after the band’s previous electoral officer, Randy Clarke, chose to step aside after the last appeal. Both the election in March 2018 and the byelection last August were appealed based on concerns with the way the process was run. Whitecap acknowledged he too had experience with appeals.

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“There were some appeals but they were proven to be not valid,” he said.

Unlike the previous election, which was closed to the three candidates (Warren McCallum, Clarisse Lecoq and Darrel McCallum), this election will be open to all urban membership. The nomination meeting has been scheduled for Nov. 7.

In a short discussion Thursday night with paNOW, PBCN Chief Peter Beatty said the band had enough money to cover another election but was uncertain what would happen if there was another appeal.

nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell