Vaughan to appoint replacement for Michael Di Biase
Council opts to skip costly byelection to fill seat left vacant by deputy mayor’s resignation amidst sexual harassment probe.

Toronto Star and thestar.com
By NOOR JAVED
June 5, 2017

Are you an aspiring politician in Vaughan with a passion for municipal politics? This may be your moment to shine.

Vaughan council is looking for fresh-faced candidates to apply for the position of regional councillor to fill the seat left empty by the sudden resignation of veteran politician Michael Di Biase last month.

Council opted on Monday to initiate an expedited appointment process, which will take place over the next few weeks, and bypass a costly byelection that would have cost taxpayers $1 million.

Di Biase, who served as a local and regional councillor at York Region, resigned amidst a damning investigation and report by the city’s integrity commissioner that accused him of repeatedly sexually harassing a city staffer. He has denied the allegations and “maintained his innocence,” but resigned his seat so as not to be a “distraction” in council.

At a council meeting Monday, councillors agreed it wasn’t “fiscally prudent” to spend tax dollars on an election, given the next municipal election is only a year away.

“Given the fiscal pressures we as a municipality are feeling, and it’s only for 14-15 months...,” said Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua. “We should appoint someone straight to regional council, and avoid the $1 million costs.”

There appeared to be a sense of urgency, with Bevilacqua asking the clerk if the entire appointment process could be conducted before July 1, to give the new person “an opportunity to spend the summer to get briefed by the various departments...and to come up to speed so when he or she sits in this chair, he or she will be able to contribute to debate here in council.”

Thus over the next few weeks, the city of Vaughan will be launching an advertising campaign announcing the vacancy and inviting candidates, who are over 18, live in Vaughan, own property in the city, or are the spouse of an owner, to apply.

Candidates who meet the criteria will have to attend a special council meeting, likely at the end of the month, and make a five-minute speech about why they should be appointed. The other eight councillors will then vote for whichever candidate they deem best.

The neighbouring municipality of Richmond Hill used the appointment process to select Ward 4 Councillor David West in 2013. West went on to win the general election in 2014.

Ward 2 Councillor Tony Carella said candidates who put their name forward for the position should be “requested to make a public statement that it’s not their intention for them to then run again for the same office at the end of the term.”

“As we all know, incumbency is a major determinant of one’s success in an election,” he said, adding he would be looking to add that into any criteria.

The entire appointment process will cost up to $5,000, mainly for advertising.

Di Biase stepped down last month after a scathing report into allegations he sexually harassed and assaulted a city employee. According to bylaws, he is entitled to severance from the city and the Region of York. He will receive $30,440 in severance from the region. The city said it needs another two weeks to tally his severance amount.