Victoria councillor Sonya Chandler is resigning from her term early to study in Europe.
Chandler, a second-term councillor, has been awarded a two-year scholarship to study in Europe. Chandler, a registered nurse, will study sustainable health systems for her master’s degree. The Eramus Mundus Scholarship is fully funded through the European Commission, and has schools in Spain, Hungary, Lithuania and Italy.
Chandler’s resignation is effective Sept. 1. A by-election will be held in conjunction with the referendum on the blue bridge, so no extra costs are incurred, said Mayor Dean Fortin. That will likely be at the end of November.
Chandler said the decision to leave was difficult but the scholarship is a “once in a lifetime opportunity. It marries the two things I’m most passionate about - health and wellness and sustainability.”
Chandler’s husband Roy and their daughter Penelope-Rose will also go to Europe.
“As much as I regret leaving my term early, I also know Victoria is where I will return to reinvest the skills and knowledge I’ll gain with this experience. I’m comforted by that.”
Chandler said she may well return to political life on her return.
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