Skip to content

Wendy Pratt resigns from Nanaimo city council

Mayor Bill McKay confirmed the first-term councillor’s resignation
web1_170411-NBU-PrattResigns
Wendy Pratt resigned from Nanaimo city council Friday (April 7). (Photo contributed)

Wendy Pratt has resigned as a member of Nanaimo city council.

Mayor Bill McKay confirmed Pratt’s resignation to the Nanaimo News Bulletin.

McKay said he found out at noon Friday (April 7). McKay said Pratt’s resignation had been delivered to Sheila Gurrie, City of Nanaimo corporate officer, who accepted it.

“I regret that she’s had to make this very tough decision, but it’s solely hers to make and I certainly wish her the best in her future endeavours and thank her for her service,” McKay said.

Pratt has been on medical leave for the past six weeks and McKay said she didn’t give a reason for stepping down.

On his Facebook group Municipally (A)Musing, Coun. Gord Fuller commented that the resignation was connected to the announcement last week of a special prosecutor assigned to assist in an investigation involving Nanaimo city council.

Mark Jetté, a senior Vancouver lawyer, was appointed in December by assistant deputy attorney general Peter Juk, in relation to matters involving Nanaimo city council, the Criminal Justice Branch announced March 31.

It did not specify what the investigation is about, but in a media statement said the appointment of a special prosecutor is intended to avoid any potential for real or perceived improper influence in the administration of justice in light of the nature of the allegations and the status of the members of Nanaimo City Council as elected municipal officials.

Jetté was given a mandate to provide legal advice to investigators as necessary, conduct any related charge assessment and assume conduct of the prosecution if charges were approved.

The statement also said a councillor is currently the subject of release documents imposed by police under the Criminal Code following an arrest for an alleged offence. No councillor has been named in the arrest.

There will be a byelection and council will know its next steps sometime next week, said McKay.

Pratt also served as a director on the Regional District of Nanaimo board.

Pratt has not yet responded to a request for comment.