PBCN Re-elects Incumbent Chief in Tight Race

PBCN Re-elects Incumbent Chief in Tight Race

Friday, April 15, 2011 at 16:20

Unofficial results from yesterday’s Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation election have incumbent chief Darrell McCallum winning a very close vote.

McCallum edged runner-up and former chief Harold Linklater by nine votes — 1,237 to 1,228.

Former NDP cabinet minister Joan Beatty finished third with 767 votes.

Election officials say they were also 48 spoiled ballots.

Nine of the 14 incumbent councillors were re-elected — Wesley Custer, Ovide Michel and Darwin Morin in Pelican Narrows, Peter A. Beatty in Deschambault Lake, Darrin Morin in Southend, Harvey Nateweyes in Sandy Bay, Clayton Sewap in Denare Beach, Gertie Budd in Sturgeon Landing and George Michel in Prince Albert — who eked out a one-vote victory over Kenny McCallum.

Newcomers to council are Eileen Linklater and Angela Merasty in Pelican Narrows, Bernice D. Sewap in Deschambault Lake, Clarence Clarke in Southend and David Caribou in Sandy Bay.

The band is the second-largest in the province. Voting was carried out in seven communities.