TORONTO — Councillor Maria Augimeri says the City of Toronto’s decision to hold a court-ordered byelection in the North York ward she represents harms “the integrity of our electoral system,” so she will seek to appeal the ruling herself.
“It is in the interest of efficiency and due process that I am allowed to appeal the court decision,” Ms. Augimeri said in a statement. “This would ensure that I am part of any just and fair outcome that includes due process and complete information.”
A mere 89 votes separated Ms. Augimeri from insurance company owner Gus Cusimano in the Ward 9 election last year.
Last month, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice ruled in favour of Mr. Cusimano, who contested the results of the vote due to “irregularities” that saw people added to the voters’ list without election officials signing off. The judge’s by-election order also extends to the school trustee race in Ward 4, where Stephnie Payne beat Michael Sullivan by 54 votes.
Legal staff originally said they expected to appeal the decision, while Mayor Rob Ford came out publicly in favour of a by-election.
On Friday, City Clerk Ulli Watkiss announced the city would hold byelections in Wards 9 and TDSB Ward 4 after all, arguing that it is the best way to remove “a cloud” hanging over the results.
“A by-election in City Council Ward 9 and Trustee Ward 4 – City Council Wards 7 and 8 – is estimated to cost over half a million dollars. We believe all alternatives to this outcome have not been fully explored. The Clerk’s advice not to appeal does harm to taxpayers as well as to the integrity of our electoral system,” Ms. Augimeri said. She expects her lawyers to file documents in court this week. Ms. Payne, who was a party to the legal proceedings, has also reportedly said she will appeal the decision.
The City said last week voters would go to polls July 25. If an appeal is granted, it is not clear how it would affect the date of the vote.
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