Vaughan to resign council seat Tuesday to run for MP

Toronto Coun. Adam Vaughan is expected to officially resign his council seat on Tuesday to run in the Trinity-Spadina federal byelection on June 30.

Trinity-Spadina became vacant when New Democrat Olivia Chow resigned to run for mayor of Toronto.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Stephen Harper called four federal byelections — two in Alberta, two in Ontario. The writ drops on Tuesday.

“It has been an incredible privilege to serve the people of Ward 20 for two terms, but it’s time Toronto had someone in Ottawa who works with us, instead of ignoring the problems that are unique to Canada’s biggest cities,” Vaughan said in a statement.

“I believe the best person to bring about that change is Justin Trudeau and I want to join him in Ottawa to put a national spotlight on issues like affordable housing and gridlock.”

Vaughan won the Liberal nomination on May 3, beating out Christine Tabbert and Ryan Davey.

Activist and former senior advisor to the Stephen Lewis Foundation Joe Cressy is running for the NDP in Trinity-Spadina. Cressy’s parents were Toronto city councillors. Benjamin Sharma is running for the Progressive Conservatives.

A byelection was also called in Scarborough-Agincourt. Liberal Jim Karygiannis stepped down to run for a seat on Toronto city council.

Arnold Chan is running for the Liberals, while Trevor Ellis is on the ballot for the Conservatives.

Voters in Trinity-Spadina will be heading to the polls three times over the next five months.

A provincial election will be held on June 12, followed by the federal byelection and then the municipal election on Oct. 27.

With files Christine Chubb and Michael Talbot

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