By-election ordered for ward nine
Posted May 13, 2011 8:45 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
TORONTO, Ont. – Toronto’s city clerk has ordered a by-election for ward nine – York Centre.
The by-election will take place on July 25 and will set up a rematch between long-time councillor Maria Augimeri and Rob Ford-backed Gus Cusimano.
Augimeri won the election by just 89 votes.
Cusimano challenged her win and raised questions about voting irregularities.
Clerk Ulli Watkiss told 680News she decided not to appeal a court ruling on April 21, that declared the results of the October 2 vote for the ward invalid.
Watkiss said the city has an obligation to fix whatever went wrong and restore public confidence.
“The right to vote is a very basic right. There is now a cloud over that and the public wants that repaired,” said Watkiss. “There’s also a cloud over the councillors, there’s a cloud over the other candidates. There is a cloud over the results.”
As of May 20, Augimeri will have to vacate her office at city hall.
There will be no councillor representing the ward until after the by-election.
There will also be a second vote held the same day for the ward four seat of the Toronto District School Board.
