On April 12, 2023, the Chief and Council of Opaskwayak Cree Nation received the decision of the Federal Court in the application brought in early 2022. As required by the Election Code and following the Court’s direction, Chief and Council appointed a new election board from those who applied under the February 2, 2023, call for applicants, for the next term:

• Elizabeth Bignell
• Anne Buck
• Flora Comeau
• Carleen Fosseneuve
• Clinton Whitehead

The Court application sought clarification and direction on the process for election board appointments. The Court’s decision confirmed that the Chief and Council were within their authority to appoint new election board members, after the expiry of the previous election board’s term. The Election Code provides that an outgoing election board stays on in the interim until sufficient names are received for a new one to be appointed by Chief and Council, and provided the 28-day notice requirement to potential applicants is followed.

The Chief and Council thanks those that came forward to serve as the Election Board. The new board will provide continuity from the Election Board’s prior work and will be of benefit to public service to the people of OCN in the future.

 Ekosi,

Rhonda Ross
Chief Executive Officer