With Rebecca Alty now the NWT鈥檚 newest MP courtesy of her win on Monday evening, there is soon to be a vacant office at city hall where the mayor-turned MP used to sit. 

It leaves the municipality with a few options going forward.

"I haven't even thought of it," Alty said when asked what council should do next. "It's up to council to decide which way they go and residents participating in that as well, informing council how they would like that to proceed."

Currently, Ben Hendriksen is serving as mayor on an acting basis. He was deputy mayor before Alty took a leave of absence to campaign federally. To get even more specific, Coun. Garrett Cochrane briefly held the role of mayor for one week as Hendriksen was out of Yellowknife at the time he was to be appointed.

So what can council do to fill the mayor's role? Here are some options:

• Have a by-election, though that could be costly to taxpayers, especially with how little time is left in this term;
• Appoint one of the current council members to serve out the remainder of what would have been Alty's term, which would mean a mayor and seven councillors or;
• Leave the seat vacant.

Hendriksen said if council decides to appoint one of its current members, he is considering the opportunity to become mayor full-time. 

"I have been asked to consider the role," he said. "Being Mayor was never part of my thoughts when I ran for city council in 2022. But I respect these requests, so I am taking time to reflect on what I can uniquely bring to the role before I make a final decision."

Council has about 18 months left in its current term, which is why Coun. Stacie Arden-Smith predicted the vacancy will likely be filled internally. That would mean no by-election, something that would cost a bit of money, especially with little time remaining in this council's lifespan.

"I know there's quite a few that are already thinking about putting their name forward," Arden-Smith said of her colleagues on council.

Asked if she was one of them, Arden-Smith smiled and said she might be.

"I can't let out all my little secrets," she laughed.

Cochrane said he is seriously considering putting his name forward for mayor. In contrast, Coun. Rob Warburton said he鈥檚 not interested in taking on the role for the remainder of the term.

"Councillor is just fine," he told 快盈v3 on Tuesday.

Coun. Steve Payne also said he has no mayoral aspirations.

"I'm happy serving my city in my council role," said Payne on Tuesday, noting council will meet soon to discuss next steps. "Whether that be an appointment of someone into the mayor's seat or an election for mayor, every option will be discussed."

Coun. Cat McGurk said she's not interested in being the next mayor, but added her preference is that council fill the role internally. 

Coun. Tom McLennan said he supports appointing a sitting councillor to be mayor, but he will not be putting his name forward for consideration.

The next Governance and Priorities Committee meeting is scheduled for May 5 with the next city council meeting set for May 12.