NORTH BATTLEFORD — The dust has finally settled on a tight race for city council, with Ross MacAngus officially securing the final seat after a judicial recount confirmed his 1,085 votes.
The recount was conducted using the city’s electronic voting machines, following local Vote Counting Machine Bylaw. A judge oversaw the process, personally reviewing all the ballots to ensure fairness and accuracy. According to the Local Government Election Act, the costs of the recount would be shared by the parties involved, though the details of those costs were not discussed at that time.
After Alan Wiese requested a recount, having been just two votes behind, the final tally confirmed the results remained unchanged — leaving MacAngus in the race’s final spot.
With the final tally confirmed, North Battleford’s new mayor and council took their oaths of office in a ceremony held at Don Ross Centre Council Chambers Dec. 2 evening.
The event began with a traditional land acknowledgement, offered by outgoing Mayor David Gillan, who took a moment to reflect on the council's legacy. "It's really an honour to be here this evening as the outgoing mayor and welcoming the new council," Gillan said.
"Congratulations to all of you for being elected for another four years, and I’m sure the city is in great hands. We have such a great new mayor and a great new council."
The land acknowledgement paid respect to the Indigenous ancestors of the land. Gillan concluded the address by reaffirming the ongoing relationship between the city and its Indigenous communities.
City Manager Randy Patrick announced first-time councillors Rodney Fedler and Dennis Mercer, along with returning members Kent Lindgren, Greg Lightfoot, Thomas Bill Ironstand, Ross MacAngus, and Kelli Hawtin.
Bill Ironstand
Dennis Mercer
Greg Lightfoot
Kent Lindgren
Rodney Fedler
Ross MacAngus
Of special note was Hawtin, who made history as North Battleford’s first female mayor in history.
“She will be our first city woman city mayor. I think that’s quite an accomplishment,” Patrick said.
After the introductions, the ceremony proceeded to the swearing-in of each councilor, with Judge Michelle Baldwin presiding over the oath of office. The new councilors solemnly pledged to "truly, faithfully, and impartially" carry out the duties of their office, vowing to abide by the city’s code of ethics and disclose any conflicts of interest.
During her election campaign in October, Hawtin shared her vision for leadership and her priorities for the city.
“The mayor's job is to work on behalf of Council, representing the will and wishes of Council. If Council wants to tackle issues like housing or work with developers, it’s up to the mayor to meet with those groups and bring the information back to Council for decision-making.”
She also addressed ways to build public trust in the Council: “If people don’t know that the city is communicating credible information, they don’t have information at all. One thing I’d like to do, if Council permits, is work on a communications plan for significant events in the community.”
As North Battleford’s leadership in the next four years takes shape, the city is set for a new era of growth and progress — one that the new council plans to tackle head-on.
“We are adjourned,” came the final announcement as the new council took their place, said Mayor Hawtin, ready to serve the community.
