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Town of Saint Andrews

Saint Andrews quorum May 2 2026

Saint Andrews council votes thrown out after meeting error

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By Nathalie Sturgeon, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Courier

Council in Saint Andrews has been forced to reschedule items voted on in a meeting held without quorum. 

On April 27, the council held a rescheduled meeting following the death of acting mayor Kate Akagi. Akagi’s death meant there were three vacancies, the other two left by the resignations of Jamie Hirtle and Brad Henderson.

In addition, two councillors were absent, Mark Bennett and Marc Blanchard. This meant only five members of council, including Acting Mayor Steve Neil, were present,falling one short of quorum. 

“It has been determined that the Special Council Meeting of Monday, April 27, proceeded without meeting the requirements of quorum,” a social media post from the town said on Tuesday. “The decisions made at the meeting are nullified.” 

The town’s procedural bylaw indicates what quorum should be. Section 13.2.4. states that quorum is “recorded based on attendance of a minimum of five councillors and the mayor or six members of council.” 

In addition, Section 65 of the Local Governance Act states that quorum is the majority of council. It also indicates that vacancies still count toward the number of members. 

“For the purposes of calculating a quorum, the number of members of council … shall be used regardless of whether there are any vacancies on the council,” the Act reads. 

The Department of Local Government said the council can only make decisions by bylaw or resolution at a regular or special council meeting when quorum is present. 

“If quorum is not met, no decisions can be made, and the matter must wait until a future meeting,” the department said in a statement. “Quorum depends on the council’s composition and is unaffected by vacant seats. In the case of Saint Andrews composition is ten, so six members of council are required to conduct a meeting.”

The council will be reduced by three following the upcoming municipal election. Chamcook is losing one seat and the Saint Andrews ward is losing two. There will now be four seats in Ward 3 — Saint Andrews — and one seat each in Chamcook and Bayside.

Quorum in that case will be less than what is required for the current council.

Coun. Annette Harland did question whether the council had quorum during the meeting. She was assured by staff that quorum was met.

The town said in a statement there was a conflict in the factors considered for the determination of quorum.

All items that were voted on will be moved to the regular council meeting scheduled for May 4.

Medical diagnostic tools mounted on a wall.

14th N.B. collaborative care clinic to be established in Saint Andrews

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The province is investing $1.7 million for infrastructure upgrades and additional staff at an existing healthcare space to create a collaborative care clinic.

The Department of Health says that 603 residents of Saint Andrews and neighbouring communities who are currently on the N.B. Health Link wait lists are expected to be patients of the Saint Andrews Wellness Centre within six to 12 months.

The existing centre currently serves 2900 patients and provides primary care, counselling, physiotherapy and respiratory therapy services. Enhancements will allow for the addition of other services, including blood collection and lab services.

Upgrades at the centre, which is owned and operated by the Town of Saint Andrews, are expected to be completed by mid-April.

“Improving New Brunswickers’ timely access to primary care is our number one priority,” said Premier Susan Holt.

“By investing in collaborative care clinics like the one in Saint Andrews, we are strengthening team-based care and ensuring more New Brunswickers are connected to the health services they need close to home.”

According to a news release, the investment will also support additional staff for the centre. It states a phlebotomist has already been hired, and recruitment will begin soon for a registered nurse, two licensed practical nurses, a licensed counselling therapist, a patient care attendant, and two administrative support staff.

“Collaborative care works best when health-care providers, partners, and communities work together,” said Health Minister John Dornan. “With the support of the Town of Saint Andrews and local partners and providers, this clinic will serve as the medical home for residents and connect hundreds more people to the primary care they deserve in their own community.”

Kate Akagi, acting Mayor for the Town of Saint Andrews, says the town is excited by the benefits the collaboration will bring to its residents.

“The Town of Saint Andrews is extremely pleased to enter this partnership to enhance our medical facility and increase available services within the town,” said Akagi. “We offer thanks to the government and the Horizon Health Network for their commitment to better health care in our community and all of New Brunswick.”

“For more than 50 years, the people of Saint Andrews have believed in caring for one another close to home,” said Margaret Melanson, president and CEO of the Horizon Health Network. “This expansion builds on that strong foundation, creating more space for health-care providers to work together and support residents for generations to come.”

This clinic marks the 14th collaborative care clinic announced by the provincial government since April 2025, and is the third announced this year.