MP-ELECT AITCHISON ENDS ONE-WEEK RETURN AS MAYOR

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

HUNTSVILLE — It’s got to be the shortest mayoralty in memory.

On Monday, seven days to the minute, after returning to the mayor’s chair, Scott Aitchison resigns effective at 11:59 p.m. tonight.

That’s precisely a week after his landslide victory in which he became Parry Sound-Muskoka MP-elect Oct. 21, thus ending his leave of absence after a successful five-week federal election campaign run for the Conservative Party of Canada.

A news release from the town said today (Oct. 28) that he provided the municipal clerk with his resignation tonight.

And, as per section 262 (1) of the Municipal Act, 2001, it said town council will declare the seat vacant at a special council meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 1 p.m.

Looking back, in the release, Aitchison reflected on his time as mayor, and said: “It has been an honour and a privilege to serve the people of Huntsville as mayor over the past five years. I look forward to continuing to represent all of the constituents in Parry Sound-Muskoka in my new position as MP.”

The town says more information will be released as it proceeds with how to replace Aitchison going forward.

A week ago tonight, MP-elect Scott Aitchison, right, was all smiles with Tony Clement and Conservative campaign manager Kirsten Baker after he won the federal election. Aitchison is stepping down as mayor effective at midnight tonight, Oct. 28, 2019.