Kanesatake elects new Mohawk Council of Kanesatake Grand Chief for first time in 10 years
Incumbent Mohawk Council of Kanesatake Grand Chief Serge Otsi Simon was looking to surpase a decade in office Saturday as the Kanien'kehá:ka (Mohawk) community 45 minutes north of Montreal holds elections.
Council Chief Victor Bonspille, however, had other plans.
The challenger defeated Simon for the grand chief position in an election that was delayed by over a month due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The count lasted from Saturday night into Sunday morning with Bonspille winding up with 368 votes to Simon's 283.
"It feels great that Kanesatake will be moving forward in a community effort," said Bonspille after an exhausting night of waiting.
Simon was first elected grand chief in 2011.
Fourteen candidates ran for six council chief positions that were won by Amy Beauvais, Jeremy Tomlinson, Denise David, John Canatonquin, Brant Etienne and Valerie Bonspille, Victor's sister.
Kanesatake has made news in recent months after a series of criminal incidents have raised calls for the creation of a local police force.
A clandestine party in June in defiance of the community's health measures that drew hundreds of partiers and killing at a local cannabis dispensary also drew attention to the large number of unsanctioned cannabis dispensaries on the territory.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
She was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father. Then life dealt her a blow
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
'Catch-and-kill' strategy to be a focus as testimony resumes in Trump hush money case
A veteran tabloid publisher was expected to return to the witness stand Tuesday in Donald Trump's historic hush money trial.
Quebec farmers have been protesting since December. Is anyone listening?
Upset about high interest rates, growing paperwork and heavy regulatory burdens, protesting farmers have become a familiar sight across Quebec since December.
South Korean sentenced to 14 months in jail for killing 76 cats
South Korean man has been sentenced to 14 months in prison for killing 76 cats in one of the country's most gruesome cases of animal cruelty in recent years.