No Plans To Leave During COVID-19: Darling

Saint John’s mayor says he is staying put in his role while the COVID-19 pandemic is upon us.

Don Darling announced last week he will not be reoffering in the next municipal elections in May.

But on Tuesday, the provincial government passed legislation postponing those elections for up to a year.

During a media briefing shortly after the announcement, Darling said he was not surprised.

“I suspected that perhaps the election would be postponed. I think that’s a great decision. We can’t go to the ballot in May, you can’t have folks out.”

But Darling reassured residents he has no plans of leaving his role within the next couple of months.

“I won’t be going anywhere while COVID-19 is upon us here and I won’t be going anywhere before September,” he said.

Beyond September, Darling said he will have to reflect to see where we are at that time.

But the mayor noted his focus right now is on getting through this “very serious situation”.

“Nothing has stopped in terms of how I’ve treated the role of mayor. I’ve been here every day,” said Darling.

“This crisis, this challenge that we have in front of us, COVID-19, has been growing by the day, it’s evolving very quickly. That’s where my focus is right now.”