Saint Andrews Swears in a New Town Council

In June 2021, an affirmation ceremony was held for the newly elected town council of St.Andrews. Chris Spear commenced the ceremony by addressing the discovery of the remains of 215 victims found in unmarked graves at the former Kamloops Residential School. “We are only beginning to understand these injustices and the generational pain it has brought to our Aboriginal communities,” says Spear, “It is up to each of us to become allies with our First Nation partners and to become more knowledgeable concerning the pain inflicted on them”. A minute of silence followed in their memory. 

Spear proceeded to welcome the new council, staff and guests to the affirmation ceremony and express the duties and responsibilities that are associated with the town council. Member of Parliament, John Williamson, and Member of Legislative Assembly, Kathy Bockus, were invited to express their support and cooperation from all levels of government for projects such as the development of trails and the housing crisis, as well as for the issues on reconciliation in light of recent news. “Working together we can create great things,” says Bockus.

Town Clerk and Senior Administrator, Paul Nopper was welcomed to the stage to affirm the new town council. Gratitude was shown for the previous council consisting of former Mayor, Doug Naish, and council members Brew, Fisher and Harrison for their perseverance even through an additional year, “your tireless efforts will not be forgotten”. The new council consists of  Kate Akagi, Marc Blanchard, Kurt Gumushel, Lee Heenan, James Hirtle, Steve Neil, and mayor, Brad Henderson. 

“This council really represents a change in municipal politics,” says Henderson, “what local government does really does matter, and more and more people have been engaged more than they have been in years”. With the greatest voter turnout in  St.Andrews has seen in over 25 years, Henderson expressed gratitude to the community and staff who have made everything possible through previous accomplishments and the current transition. The ceremony closes with Henderson reiterating further collaboration with Williamson and Bockus to pursue future ambitions whilst prioritizing the crises at hand such as housing and initiatives for reconciliation with Indigenous communities.