Sylvan Lake Town Council accepted the resignation of Councillor Jas Payne on September 3, 2026, ending a 13-year career on council that spanned four terms. Payne thanked residents for their trust, calling the decision “not an easy” one.
Mayor Megan Hanson, who served alongside Payne as a councillor and later mayor for his entire tenure, said, “Having had the privilege of serving alongside him for the past 13 years, I have developed tremendous respect for him, his leadership, and his unwavering heart for our community.”
With Payne’s departure, council now has six members, one short of its full complement of six councillors plus the mayor. Under Alberta legislation, a by-election must be held within 120 days. Council approved the details at its September 8 meeting, setting the vote for November 2, 2026. Candidate nominations close on October 5 at 12:00 PM. Advance polls will be held October 30-31, and a candidate information night is planned for October 1 at the Municipal Government Building.
Residents can learn more about the by-election, including special ballot requests, by contacting Returning Officer Mandi Wisheu at [email protected]. Voting will take place at the Wellness and Community Connections Centre from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
This is not the first recent council vacancy in Sylvan Lake. In 2022, Councillor Kendall Kloss resigned, leading to a by-election won by Ian Oostindie, who currently serves on council. The town’s population has grown significantly in recent years, reaching 17,897 in 2025 according to the Alberta Regional Dashboard.
