Council appoints Jamie Bay to the vacant Ward 5 seat
Town Council made the appointment on September 8, moving the decision up from September 28 to fill the Ward 5 seat left vacant by the death of Councillor Marc Grant in July.
The details
What happened
Oakville Town Council has appointed Jamie Bay as the Ward 5 Town Councillor. The appointment was made at the Planning and Development Council meeting on September 8, 2026, after Ward 5 Town and Regional Councillor Jeff Knoll brought an alternate motion to expedite the decision, which had originally been scheduled for September 28.
Why Council appointed rather than held a by-election
The seat became vacant following the death of Councillor Marc Grant in July 2026. Under the Municipal Act, 2001, a council must fill a vacancy that occurs more than 90 days before a regular election; because the vacancy fell outside that window ahead of the 2026 municipal election, Council was required to appoint a replacement rather than call a by-election.
- Ward 5 Town Councillor
- Jamie Bay
- September 8, 2026, Planning and Development Council
- Death of Councillor Marc Grant, July 2026
- Municipal Act, 2001 — vacancy more than 90 days before the election
What happens next
The Town says Bay may take part in Council's remaining meetings for the balance of the current term, including the September 28 Council meeting. Mayor Rob Burton, in a statement accompanying the announcement, congratulated Bay on the appointment and said it honours the memory of Councillor Grant.