By Emily Keller

city council

City Councilor Clyde Blackburn returns to Council in remission

Feb 10, 2020 | 7:08 PM

Grande Prairie City Councilor Clyde Blackburn has returned from his leave of absence.

Councilor Blackburn had been on a leave of absence to receive treatment for leukemia, which is now in remission.

He returned to sit with City Council on Monday, February 10.

“I’m glad to be back for this particular meeting because I’ve had a great interest in the issues regarding community group funding for some time,” said Blackburn. “And I’m glad that I didn’t have to miss this debate.”

Council discussed the potential to cut funding to community groups for 2021.

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Councilor Blackburn says he left in March of last year but was able to return briefly.

“Home for the summer and able to attend a couple of meetings, and then I went to Calgary for my bone marrow transplant at the beginning of October, and I’ve only been back in Grande Prairie for a couple of weeks now.”

He adds that while he is in remission, he is still immunocompromised and may need to avoid crowds and other events.

Councilor Blackburn says that the live-stream of the City Council meetings made him able to stay up-to-date, and that he was also able to communicate with fellow Council Members while away.

He says he is looking forward to once again attend City Committee meetings, is very thankful for Council’s support during his time away.