According to the City of Toronto's unofficial byelection results, Nick Mantas beat out 26 other candidates to win the byelection. He succeeds his former boss, Jim Karygiannis.

Council made the unanimous decision Tuesday morning.

Jim Karygiannis faced removal from office after exceeding a spending limit by about $25,000 during the 2018 election.

Mayor John Tory said a new partnership marks the beginning of initiatives to address the issue by supporting the entry, retention and advancement of Black professionals in the industry.

"By virtue of today’s decision, Mr. Karygiannis can immediately resume his place on city council as councillor for Ward 22."

Karygiannis was first removed from office in early November after Toronto's city clerk said he could no longer continue in his role based on a supplementary financial statement filed after the 2018 municipal election.

Around 24,000 city employees who are members of CUPE Local 79 could legally go on strike or be locked out by the city as early as 12:01 a.m. this Saturday.

Their jobs include garbage and recycling collection, water treatment, road maintenance and snow clearing.

Toronto city council voted in favour of expropriating the air rights, if need be, to build the massive Rail Deck Park over existing train tracks in the city’s downtown core.

In order to pay for the major projects identified, TTC staff said the upper levels of government need to come through with funding.