Edmundston mayoral candidate cleared to run

A mayoral candidate in Edmundston has been cleared by Elections New Brunswick to run in the May 14 municipal election, despite questions about his eligibility.

Cyrille Simard says he's been living in the city since last summer.

But someone had alleged Simard has been a resident for less than two months.

Mayoral candidates must have a minimum of six months of residency to be eligible to run.

Elections New Brunswick investigated the complaint against Simard, assistant electoral officer David Owens told CBC News.

Simard provided a copy of the lease for the condo he lists as his address on Rue du Bourg, said Owens. It shows the condo has been rented since last July, he said.

Simard says he took ownership of the condo in March.

In an affidavit in the property transfer documents, the previous ownerSimard's mother-in-lawsays she was "occupying" the property until the March transfer.

Incumbent mayor Jacques Martin said he's heard people talking about Simard's residency, but he declined to comment.