Di Biase replacement named as dozens vie for Vaughan council seat
Sunder Singh, executive director of a women’s centre, emerged victorious among almost 50 candidates.

Toronto Star and thestar.com
By NOOR JAVED
June 28, 2017

An empty council seat called, and the residents of Vaughan answered.

Among them: educators, environmentalists, activists, former politicians and candidates, and residents simply hoping to improve the city they live in.

Nearly 50 people showed up on Wednesday, each armed with a five-minute speech to convince eight members of council why they should be appointed to fill a seat made empty by the resignation of Michael Di Biase last month.

For most, it was a way to dabble in politics without a long and costly campaign.

“It’s time to engage the public,” said candidate Gillian Evans, who made it to the second round. “Looking around the room, you see the numbers and all the qualified people, I think that is a good sign of public participation,” she said.

Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua lauded residents for showing up and trying for the seat, that in the end went to Sunder Singh, executive director of the Elspeth Heyworth Centre for Women.

“I just want to say how proud I am that so many people came forward,” he said. “As you know we can’t appoint all of you...but when we were reading through these pages, we have some real talent in this city and you ought to really consider public service or elected office in the future,” he said.

Some pitched their experience in politics. Others tried to use their youth as an advantage. Some talked about diversity, while others of their long history in the city. Almost all talked about finding solutions to traffic problems, improving transparency, and using this foray into politics as a way to give back.

“I want to make Vaughan even better,” said candidate Michael McKenzie, echoing the sentiments of many.

But at the end, after a day of speeches, and a group picture, council held two rounds of voting to appoint Singh, who has lived in Vaughan for a decade.

According to the documents submitted, Singh has been executive director of Elspeth Heyworth Centre for Women, an organization which serves newcomers, immigrants and refugees and women facing domestic abuse, since 2005.

“The entire day was very inspiring to see such positive energy all around and the talent people talked about,” said Singh, after being sworn in and taking her seat at the council table. “I thank you all very much for this opportunity.”

Bevilacqua said the choice was “reflective of the city of Vaughan” and he was confident Singh was in “public service for the right reasons.”

Singh said she will take a break from her role as executive director for the year. She will only hold the seat until the next municipal election in the fall of 2018 and will earn more than $132,000, by holding a seat both in Vaughan and at the Region of York.

Veteran councillor Di Biase resigned in May after decades in office after an integrity commissioner report that found he had sexually harassed a city employee.

Earlier this week, commissioner Suzanne Craig presented findings in another probe into Di Biase, which found that he “used his position to improperly influence” the decisions of city officials and those with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) to assist a local land owner in getting approvals to develop on environmentally sensitive lands.

Di Biase, despite his breaches of the city’s code of conduct, will still be receiving a severance for the time he served on council from 2010 to 2017.

“Based on his annual salary, he is eligible to receive up to approximately $46,700, which will be paid out when this term of council is complete,” according to a statement from the city. “Council acknowledges and empathizes with those who wish the City of Vaughan could withhold the severance payment. The law, however, is very clear on this matter and we are legally required to pay the severance.”

This is not the first time the appointment process has been used in Vaughan.

In 2002, after the death of mayor Lorna Jackson, Di Biase was promoted to mayor, and Gino Rosati was appointed to regional councillor. His seat was filled through a byelection.