Ready, set, go… and vote for our next councillor!

November 1, 2024 Geoff Kettel Development

By the time you read this you will know all about the upcoming Ward 15 by-election – the candidates and the issues, having attended the Oct. 16 virtual candidates’ meeting organized by the By-Election Planning Committee of the 14 residents’ associations in Ward 15.

The one big change with the candidates’ meeting from last month’s Leaside Life was an increase in the number of invited candidates from five to 11. As explained, our overriding concern was to ensure a meeting that allowed for a meaningful and civil discussion of the issues facing residents of Ward 15 (and the City). 

With 16 candidates, we faced a significant challenge, and we decided early on to create a selection process to reach a smaller number (five) of invited candidates. We asked candidates to complete a pre-qualification questionnaire. Four candidates could not be contacted at all, while 11 candidates completed and submitted the questionnaire.

We heard of concerns from many candidates, including those already invited to participate on Oct. 16, that they wanted us to find a way to invite a larger number of candidates. We looked carefully at the format options and decided that this could be done – though still a challenge! So, we invited 11 candidates, those who completed and submitted the questionnaire, to participate. These questionnaires are posted on the Leaside Residents Association website: https://leasideresidents.ca/ward-15-by-election-survey-responses.

Here are the remaining key events and dates:

  • Advance voting was scheduled for Sat., Oct. 26 and Sun., Oct. 27, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Election Day is on Mon., Nov. 4, with voting locations open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

To receive a ballot at the voting place, you must show identification with your name and Ward 15, Don Valley West address. To help shorten wait times, download and take the voter information card with you, along with your identification.

VISIT toronto.ca/MyVote TO:

  • Check out the candidates running for councillor.
  • Find out if you are on the voters’ list.
  • Add, change or update your voters’ list info (until Oct. 10 at 4:30 p.m.).
  • Apply for mail-in voting (until Oct. 10 at 4:30 pm)
  • Find out where and when to vote.
  • Find accessibility info about your voting place.
  • View a sample of the ballot
  • View, download or print your voter information card.

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About Geoff Kettel 230 Articles
Geoff Kettel is a community connector and advocate for “making places better”. He is currently Co-President of the Leaside Residents Association, Co-Chair of the Federation of North Toronto Residents‘ Associations (FoNTRA), member of the Toronto Preservation Board and Past Chair of the North York Community Preservation Panel. He writes a monthly column on heritage and planning in Leaside Life.