City council voted on Tuesday, May 20, to appoint Rob Foote as its next councillor.

Since the municipality's previous mayor, Rebecca Alty, took a leave of absence in March to run in the federal election, council has been left with a hole to fill. New Mayor Ben Hendriksen has since replaced Alty, given that she was successful in her bid to become the NWT's MP, but now someone needs to fill Hendriksen's former seat.

That person is Foote, who finished ninth during the municipal election in 2022. Foote is a supply chain manager with the NWT Health and Social Services Authority.

Coun. Garett Cochrane said council should always comprise an unequal number of voters and stressed the democratic principles behind appointing Foote, since he is next in line based on the vote count from the last municipal election. 

"The only person who I could see possibly being able to fill the role is those who are provided the democratic mandate through the 2022 [election]," said Cochrane. "Our authority and our legal authority is derived through democratic mandates. If we appointed anybody else outside of that realm, it would put this council into disrepute and question the very legitimacy of our formation."

Coun. Stacie Arden-Smith also said she'd support appointing Foote, as did Coun. Tom McLennan, who noted the benefits of having an added perspective on council and how costly a byelection would be. 

The city estimates a byelection would require $100,000 to $150,000 in funds. 

Coun. Steve Payne described Foote as a fair individual who would be a good spokesperson for Yellowknife residents. Councillors Cat McGurk and Ryan Fequet also said they were in favour of the appointment.

Hendriksen agreed with all his colleagues. A final motion to appoint Foote is slated for the council meeting on May 26.

Council is not obligated to appoint another member. Other options included holding a byelection and leaving the seat vacant. 

Council also voted to appoint Rob Warburton as deputy mayor; he was the only one who brought his name forward, Hendriksen noted.

There are 18 months left in this council鈥檚 term.  The next municipal election is scheduled to happen on Oct.19, 2026. Nominations open on Sept. 7, 2026.