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Gordon Barnhart can enjoy the rest of his vacation in Hawaii, free of the burden of leading the organization that represents Saskatchewan’s urban municipalities.
Barnhart soundly lost his attempt for a second term as president of Municipalities of Saskatchewan this week.
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The province’s former lieutenant-governor attended the organization’s annual convention from Hawaii an almost certain guarantee that his holiday during a time of outrage over travel by public officials would ensure defeat.
Hayward defeated incumbent Gordon Barnhart, the mayor of Saltcoats and a former lieutenant-governor, 351 to 115. Rennie Harper, Nipawin’s mayor, will serve as the new vice-president of towns. Barnhart, who campaigned from Hawaii, came under fire recently for his comments on amalgamation and for travelling despite the pandemic – which Hayward said partly led him to mount a campaign. Barnhart said he wasn’t surprised at the results on the afternoon of Feb. 8, adding that he felt a bit of relief. He said he plans to focus on his duties as mayor of Saltcoats and still predicts big changes are on the way for municipal governance.