Bryce Williams has again been elected chief of the Tsawwassen First Nation in a rematch with long-time former chief Kim Baird.
Chief Williams won by a 106-86 margin as members of the tiny treaty nation turned out Wednesday to vote for a new chief and council to govern for the next three year term.
"I'm glad it's finally over, relieved, and just happy to continue on with business and move forward with all our initiatives," said Williams Wednesday evening.
"Thanks for the support from the community. It really means a lot. It's time to get to business and continue moving forward. The people have spoken and I look forward to working with everyone."
Williams said it was nice to see a larger voter turnout in the election. An estimated 74 per cent of eligible members voted, compared to 57 per cent last election.
The election was a do-over of the Sept. 5, 2012 election results, which were invalidated by a judicial council ruling in December, citing irregularities in the posted date on election notices.
Baird, a chief of the Tsawwassen for 14 years who was instrumental in leading her people to a historic treaty, lost her position to executive council member Bryce Williams by a 78-69 vote in the previous election.
"I'm more relieved than anything," said Baird following the announcement of the election results. "It's been a long and divisive process, elections are hard on our community."
Baird said she's content to working on First Nation issues in another capacity.
Baird did say that the timing of the distribution of $500 of treaty money to each member of TFN on April 3, seven days before the election, was "troubling."
"It sort of undermined the intent of the payments, so I think it's unfortunate for sure," she said. "I'm not sure whether they influenced the votes or not, I guess we'll never know.
Williams told the Leader last week that the decision was made to distribute the money to members because it's the anniversary date of the TFN treaty, and "there’s no political initiative behind that at all."
A full list of council members elected to the legislature was not immediately available but is expected to be posted on the TFN website shortly.
