Council denies candidate's refund request

Town of St. Paul council denied a request from byelection candidate Richard Lavoie to have his $100 deposit refunded, at its meeting on Feb. 13.

All candidates make a $100 deposit to run for a council position. If a candidate is not elected, but receives 50 per cent of the winning candidate’s votes, municipalities can refund the deposit under the terms of the Municipal Government Act (MGA).

Council automatically refunded Roxanne Bergheim’s deposit as she received 60 per cent of Coun. Norm Noel’s votes. Noel won with 51 per cent overall while Bergheim took 31 per cent. Lavoie and candidate Alice Herperger received nine per cent each.

In an email presented to council, Lavoie said the policy intends to stop undesirable candidates from running. He asked council to review the policy and make an exception as “I feel I’m not an ‘undesirable candidate’.”

Lavoie told council unless it refunded his $100 deposit, he would not run for council again in the next general election. “If council supports the refund, I will file my papers again and try and help our Town grow responsibly if elected.”

Although it would not be permitted under the MGA, Lavoie asked council to review his request and make a decision in camera, or closed to the public without media present.

Council unanimously agreed to follow the MGA and refused the request.

The Town has not given refunds in similar situations in the past, said CAO Ron Boisvert, adding other municipalities he is aware of do not give the deposit back either.

Coun. Ken Kwiatkowski made the motion to deny the request.

“Everybody that runs knows what the situation is when they put their money up and they’re all told, you don’t get the percentage you don’t get the refunds,” agreed Coun. Gary Ward.

Lavoie had been informed the matter would not be dealt with in camera before the meeting, Boisvert said, after the meeting.