The Village of Sayward Suddenly Withdrew Its Quorum Reduction Petition

In a surprising turn of events, the Village of Sayward has abandoned its Petition to the Supreme Court of British Columbia related to section 129 Community Charter. Originally filed in October, 2025, the Petition sought to reduce the number of councillors required for quorum to only two. This stunning reversal comes mere days after Mayor Mark Baker’s defamation lawsuit against prior CAO John France was dismissed.

If the quorum issue was as critical to the smooth operation of the municipality as described in The Village of Sayward’s October 2025 media release, why is it no longer important? How many taxpayer dollars were wasted during this drawn out legal process for seemingly nothing? We’ve reached out to The Village of Sayward and the PR firm they hired, Coast Communications and Public Affairs, for comment.

Summary of Petition Withdrawal

The May 14, 2026 BC Supreme Court requisition confirms that the Village of Sayward abandoned its Section 129 petition before the scheduled June hearing.

Key points from the document:

Filed in the Supreme Court of British Columbia, Victoria Registry (File No. 2512336)
Filed by Dana Goodfellow, lawyer for the Village of Sayward
Requested removal of the petition hearing from the June 1, 2026 chambers hearing list
The petition had originally been filed October 14, 2025 under Section 129 of the Community Charter
The document explicitly states:

“The Village of Sayward will not be proceeding with the hearing of its Petition … or the order sought within the Petition.”

In practical terms, the Village withdrew or discontinued pursuit of the court order it had previously sought under Section 129 of the Community Charter.

Looking Back To October 2025

Village of Sayward Statement October 15, 2025

The October 15, 2025 media release announced that the Village of Sayward had filed a petition in BC Supreme Court seeking to temporarily reduce council quorum from three councillors to two.

The Village said the move was intended to:

help council function effectively under the Community Charter,
restore “order, civility, and professionalism,”
and allow council to continue making decisions and advancing priorities such as economic development, grants, and asset management.

The release stated that council had struggled with governance issues since the last election, including the resignation of two councillors and the need for a by-election.

The Village argued that ongoing dysfunction threatened long-term municipal stability in the community of roughly 350 residents.

The statement concluded by saying the matter was before the courts and no further comment would be made.

Village of Sayward Petition Filed October 14, 2025

The document is a petition filed in the Supreme Court of British Columbia by the Village of Sayward under section 129 of the Community Charter.

Main purpose of the petition

The Village is asking the court to temporarily reduce council quorum requirements from three councillors to two councillors so remaining councillors can deliberate and vote on possible disciplinary actions.

Key allegations

The petition alleges that councillors Susan Poulsen and Scott Burchett may have:

Violated conflict-of-interest and conduct provisions under the Community Charter and Village bylaws.
Improperly disclosed confidential information from closed council meetings.
Engaged in disrespectful behaviour toward former Chief Administrative Officer Keir Gervais.
Potentially participated in wilful misconduct.

The petition also references possible legal action against at least one councillor, possible Village staff involvement, and allegations involving John France for allegedly assisting in possible misconduct.

Background included in the petition

The filing outlines:

The structure of Sayward council.
Recent resignations and by-elections that changed council composition.
The municipality’s small size and isolated location.
Details about council procedure bylaws and code-of-conduct bylaws.

Relief sought

The Village wants the court to allow councillors Debbie Coates and Jason Johnson to proceed with discussions and votes despite quorum complications arising from the allegations involving the other councillors.

The petition also seeks costs if the application is opposed.

Additional Documents

Affidavit of Mark Baker

This affidavit was sworn by Mark Baker in support of a court petition by the Village of Sayward seeking permission to temporarily reduce council quorum requirements.

Main purpose

The affidavit supports an application to the Supreme Court of British Columbia to allow two remaining councillors — Debbie Coates and Jason Johnson — to continue council business involving disciplinary matters despite conflict and quorum issues involving other councillors.

Main allegations described

The affidavit outlines allegations that councillors Susan Poulsen and Scott Burchett may have:

Improperly disclosed confidential information and documents from closed council meetings.
Breached provisions of the Community Charter and Village bylaws.
Engaged in disrespectful conduct toward former CAO Keir Gervais.
Potentially participated in wilful misconduct.

The affidavit also references possible legal proceedings involving councillors, Village staff, and John France for allegedly assisting in possible misconduct.

What the affidavit seeks to enable

The reduced quorum would permit council to:

Resume consideration of a motion of censure and sanctions.
Discuss possible litigation.
Continue governance functions that would otherwise be stalled because councillors facing allegations cannot participate in those matters.

Overall tone and significance

The affidavit presents the situation as a governance and operational crisis for the Village, arguing court intervention is necessary so municipal business can continue despite conflicts involving sitting councillors.

Exhibits of Mark Baker Affidavit

Main themes across the exhibits

1. Complaints about mayoral conduct

Several exhibits relate to allegations involving Mayor Baker’s behaviour and interactions with councillors, staff, and others. These include:

Emails and written complaints.
References to alleged inappropriate jokes and comments.
Apology correspondence from Baker acknowledging that some people felt offended or disrespected.
Materials connected to harassment and code-of-conduct complaints.

One exhibit includes a written apology from Baker stating he never intended to offend anyone and would try to avoid repeating conduct that others perceived as inappropriate.

2. Internal political conflict on council

The exhibits show an escalating political divide within council involving:

Susan Poulsen
Scott Burchett
Mayor Baker
Other council members and residents

Documents suggest disputes over:

Closed-meeting confidentiality.
Council procedure.
Investigations into complaints.
Spending of taxpayer funds.
Whether disciplinary processes were fair or politically motivated.

3. “Sayward Rant & Rave” social media activity

A substantial portion of the exhibits appears to consist of screenshots from the Facebook group “Sayward Rant & Rave.”

These posts discuss:

Alleged misconduct by council members.
Criticism of the mayor and council majority.
Concerns about municipal spending and investigations.
Claims that governance in Sayward had become dysfunctional.

The posts repeatedly characterize the complaint process as politically motivated and expensive for taxpayers.

4. Communications involving John France

The exhibits include emails and meeting arrangements involving John France, Susan Poulsen, and Scott Burchett.

These documents appear intended to support allegations that:

Certain councillors coordinated responses to the governance dispute.
External assistance may have been provided regarding complaints, strategy, or public communications.

5. Defamation and legal dispute materials

The later exhibits appear to include portions of court pleadings connected to a defamation lawsuit involving Mayor Baker and online/public statements about him.

These materials include:

Defences to alleged defamatory statements.
Arguments about truth, qualified privilege, and public-interest criticism.
Detailed responses to allegations regarding behaviour and comments attributed to the mayor.

Overall significance

Taken together, the exhibits portray a prolonged and highly public breakdown in relationships within Sayward municipal government. They appear designed to support the Village’s position that:

Governance has become impaired.
Councillors are deeply divided.
Alleged misconduct and confidentiality breaches require formal action.
Court intervention is necessary to allow council business to continue despite conflicts and disqualifications.

Affidavit of John Thomas

This affidavit was sworn by John Thomas in support of the Village of Sayward’s application to the Supreme Court of British Columbia for a temporary reduction in council quorum requirements.

Main purpose of the affidavit

Thomas supports the Village’s request to reduce quorum from three councillors to two councillors so remaining council members can:

Resume consideration of censure motions and possible sanctions.
Discuss possible litigation and misconduct allegations.
Continue municipal governance despite conflicts involving other councillors.

Key allegations described

The affidavit repeats and supports allegations that councillors Susan Poulsen and Scott Burchett may have:

Improperly disclosed confidential information and documents from closed council meetings.
Violated provisions of the Community Charter and Village bylaws.
Engaged in disrespectful conduct toward former CAO Keir Gervais.
Potentially participated in wilful misconduct.

The affidavit also references possible legal proceedings involving councillors, Village staff, and John France.

Thomas’s role and perspective

Unlike the mayor’s affidavit, this filing appears to come from an administrative and governance perspective. As a former acting CAO and advisor, Thomas presents himself as someone familiar with:

Council procedures.
Municipal governance requirements.
Closed-meeting confidentiality obligations.
Operational impacts caused by council dysfunction.

Overall significance

The affidavit reinforces the Village’s argument that governance has become impaired by ongoing disputes, allegations, and conflicts of interest, and that court intervention is needed to allow council operations and disciplinary proceedings to continue.

Exhibits of John Thomas Affidavit

The exhibits attached to the affidavit of John Thomas contain bylaws, correspondence, FOI materials, complaints, emails, legal communications, and governance records related to the ongoing conflict within the Village of Sayward.

Main themes in the exhibits

1. Municipal governance and officer authority

Several exhibits contain:

Village bylaws defining the powers and responsibilities of municipal officers and the CAO.
References to sections of the Community Charter governing council conduct and administration.
Legal and procedural guidance about how councillors can direct staff and how council decisions must be made through formal motions.

These materials appear intended to support the argument that individual councillors cannot independently direct municipal administration outside formal council processes.

2. Freedom of Information and privacy disputes

The exhibits include:

FOI requests.
Complaints to the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia.
Allegations that confidential or in-camera information was improperly disclosed.

Some documents specifically reference concerns that closed-meeting information connected to litigation involving Mark Baker and John France may have been released without proper council authorization.

3. Coordination among councillors and third parties

A significant number of exhibits appear to consist of emails between:

Susan Poulsen
Scott Burchett
John France
Other community or regional contacts

The correspondence discusses:

Draft complaint letters.
Audit and governance concerns.
Political strategy and responses.
Communications about investigations and elections.

These exhibits appear intended to demonstrate coordination regarding complaints and opposition to the mayor and council majority.

4. Conflict over council procedure and legality

Some exhibits involve:

Disputes about meeting notices and procedural compliance.
Legal advice regarding council meetings and Community Charter requirements.
Communications from former CAO Keir Gervais refusing to proceed with actions believed to be non-compliant with legislation.

The documents portray an administration struggling with competing instructions and governance disputes.

5. Broader political and public controversy

The exhibits also contain:

Community planning and operational documents.
Election-related complaints and allegations of interference.
Records showing the conflict expanded beyond council chambers into public and regional political disputes.

Overall significance

Overall, the exhibits support the Village’s broader argument that:

Governance within Sayward had become highly dysfunctional.
Confidentiality and procedural disputes escalated into formal complaints and legal action.
Relationships among councillors, staff, and members of the public had significantly deteriorated.
Court intervention was necessary to restore the municipality’s ability to function and make decisions.

Sayward Mayor Mark Baker Defamation Lawsuit Against Former Sayward CAO John France Dismissed

The Supreme Court of British Columbia dismissed a defamation lawsuit brought by Sayward Mayor Mark Baker against former Sayward CAO John France over a series of Facebook posts in the “Sayward Rant and Rave” group.

Justice Hamilton ruled that France’s posts about Baker’s alleged sexual harassment behaviour, the handling of complaints, and the use of public funds were matters of public interest tied to local governance and political accountability.

The case centered on complaints filed in 2023 by Talia Clark and Councillor Scott Burchett, who alleged Baker made repeated inappropriate comments, sexual jokes, and unwanted physical contact during community and municipal events. Baker admitted making several jokes and acknowledged he sometimes touches people on the shoulder or arm in greeting, but denied engaging in sexual harassment or acting with sexual intent.

France later made numerous Facebook posts criticizing Baker and council, alleging:

Baker engaged in sexual harassment;
council improperly handled the complaints in secret “in camera” meetings;
Baker improperly participated in decisions despite a conflict of interest; and
public money was being spent protecting Baker’s image instead of resolving the matter.

The court found Baker’s defamation claim had “substantial merit” because the allegations could damage his reputation. However, the judge concluded France’s defence of justification (truth) had a real prospect of success because the “sting” of the posts was substantially true.

Justice Hamilton found:

sexual harassment does not require vulgarity, sexual intent, or explicit propositions;
unwelcome touching and sexualized comments can qualify as harassment; and
Baker’s admitted conduct and the evidence from Clark and Burchett were capable of supporting findings of sexual harassment.

The judge also ruled Baker failed to show significant harm directly caused by France’s posts, noting that:

the complaints themselves;
ongoing council dysfunction;
resignations;
and widespread media coverage about Sayward governance issues
were likely major sources of reputational harm and stress.

In the final balancing analysis under B.C.’s Protection of Public Participation Act (anti-SLAPP legislation), the court held that protecting political speech and public debate outweighed Baker’s interest in continuing the lawsuit.

Justice Hamilton concluded that France’s posts were core political expression about municipal governance and accountability, and warned the lawsuit risked creating a “chilling effect” on public discussion in Sayward. The court dismissed Baker’s lawsuit.

Court Documents

Cruise Ship Viewing Schedule For May 6th To 12th

Wednesday – May 6
Northbound (evening/night)

Discovery Princess — ~10:15 PM
Grand Princess — ~10:45 PM
Zaandam — ~9:45 PM

Thursday – May 7
Northbound

Coral Princess — ~11:00 PM

Friday – May 8
Northbound

Multiple ships expected
10:00 PM – 12:30 AM

Saturday – May 9
Northbound

2 to 4 ships likely
10:30 PM – 1:00 AM

Sunday – May 10
Southbound

Returning Alaska ships
5:30 AM – 8:00 AM

Monday – May 11
Southbound

Several ships expected
5:00 AM – 7:30 AM

Tuesday – May 12
Southbound

Emerald Princess — ~6:15 AM

** Accuracy Notes: Expect variation of 30 to 60 minutes depending on tides, ship speed, and traffic. Some ships may pass outside these windows, but most cluster around slack tide.

Life On The Edge Of Wilderness – A Pioneer’s First Year At Salmon River In The 1920s

In the early 1920s, the remote banks of the Salmon River near present-day Sayward were not yet the quiet, scenic destination many recognize today. Instead, they were the frontier—rugged, isolated, and filled with both promise and hardship for the first wave of settlers trying to carve out a life in the dense forests of northern Vancouver Island.

A newspaper account by Rene Harding, preserved by the Sayward Historical Society, offers a vivid glimpse into what that first year of settlement was really like.

A Land of Opportunity—and Challenge

The Salmon River Valley drew settlers with its fertile flats and towering timber. By the late 1800s and early 1900s, the region had already begun transitioning from a trading stop and Indigenous village site into a budding resource community fueled largely by logging and natural resource extraction.

But arriving in the 1920s meant stepping into a place where infrastructure was nearly nonexistent. Early pioneers had to build everything from scratch—homes, trails, and access routes—often using only hand tools and raw determination.

The Harding account describes a year defined by constant labour. Clearing land for farming was grueling work, with dense forest and heavy undergrowth slowing progress at every turn. Each acre gained was hard-won, and every structure built represented weeks of effort.

Isolation and Ingenuity

Life at Salmon River was marked by isolation. Transportation was limited, and connections to the outside world were infrequent. Supplies had to be carefully managed, and settlers relied heavily on one another for support.

Improvisation became a daily necessity. Families learned to adapt quickly—constructing shelters, sourcing food locally, and making do with what little they had. Hunting, fishing, and foraging were not hobbies, but essential survival skills.

Despite these hardships, there was a sense of optimism. The settlers believed in the long-term potential of the land, even when early conditions were harsh.

Weather, Work, and Resilience

The first year tested settlers in every season. Wet coastal weather, dense bush, and physical exhaustion created constant challenges. Yet the Harding account highlights a recurring theme: resilience.

Progress may have been slow, but it was steady. Gardens began to take shape, homes became more secure, and the beginnings of a community started to emerge.

This perseverance reflects a broader pattern seen across early Vancouver Island settlements—small, determined groups of people laying the groundwork for future generations.

Foundations of a Community

What makes this account especially compelling is how it captures a moment before Sayward became a structured community. At the time, the area was still evolving from its early identity as Port Kusam, a small settlement tied to trade, forestry, and river access.

The experiences described in that first year would ultimately contribute to the development of the Salmon River Valley and surrounding communities, helping shape the region’s identity as a forestry-driven hub in the decades that followed.

Remembering the Pioneers

Today, it’s easy to overlook the sheer effort required to establish communities in remote areas like Salmon River. Roads, services, and modern conveniences now connect the region—but they are built on the foundations laid by those early settlers.

Accounts like Rene Harding’s serve as a reminder of that legacy. They preserve not just the facts of history, but the lived experiences—the struggles, hopes, and determination—that defined life in the Sayward Valley a century ago.

Their story is one of endurance, adaptability, and belief in the land—qualities that continue to shape the community to this day.

Building A Lifeline – The Story Of Sayward’s 1918 Swing Bridge

In the early 20th century, life in the remote communities of northern Vancouver Island was defined by isolation, ingenuity, and determination. A fascinating glimpse into that era comes from a Times Colonist newspaper account by Rene Harding, preserved by the Sayward Historical Society. Her recounting of a swing bridge built around 1918 captures a pivotal moment in the development of the Salmon River valley.

A Community Divided by Water

At the time, the Salmon River was both a lifeline and a barrier. It supported logging operations and transportation, but crossing it was a constant challenge for settlers, workers, and supplies moving through the rugged landscape. Without a reliable bridge, travel depended on boats, makeshift crossings, or risky seasonal routes.

The need for a permanent crossing became increasingly urgent as logging activity expanded and more people arrived in the region. Communities like Sayward and nearby camps were growing, but infrastructure lagged behind.

Engineering Meets Necessity

The solution came in the form of a swing bridge—a practical and widely used design in Canada during that era. Swing bridges could pivot open to allow boats, logs, and river traffic to pass through, then close again for foot or rail travel.

For a logging region like Sayward, this design made perfect sense. Rivers were not just obstacles; they were highways for floating timber. A fixed bridge would have blocked that movement, but a swing span allowed both land and water traffic to coexist.

Building Against the Odds

Harding’s account highlights the sheer effort required to construct such a structure in a remote, undeveloped area. Materials had to be transported over long distances, often by water or rough trails. Labour was intensive, and conditions were unforgiving.

This was not just a construction project—it was a feat of coordination and perseverance. Workers had to contend with weather, terrain, and limited equipment, all while building a structure that needed to be both strong and adaptable.

More Than a Bridge

When completed, the swing bridge did more than span the Salmon River—it transformed daily life.

Improved access: Travel between settlements became faster and safer.
Economic growth: Logging operations could expand more efficiently.
Community connection: Families, workers, and goods could move with greater ease.

In many ways, the bridge symbolized a turning point. It marked the transition from isolation to connection, from temporary solutions to lasting infrastructure.

A Lasting Legacy

Today, the original 1918 swing bridge may no longer stand, but its impact remains part of Sayward’s story. Through historical records and images preserved by the Sayward Historical Society, we can still appreciate the ingenuity and resilience that defined the region’s early development.

The story of the swing bridge is a reminder that even modest structures can play an outsized role in shaping a community. Built out of necessity, it became a symbol of progress—linking not just two sides of a river, but a growing region to its future.