Toronto’s city council has voted 22-11 — a substantial majority — to appoint a replacement for Doug Holyday rather than hold a $250,000 byelection. The decision is being seen as a personal rebuff of Mayor Ford who wanted to see the replacement member of council elected. Today’s decision does not make an appointment, that will come later. The appointment is apparently conditional on the person chosen to refrain from running at the municipal general election on November 2014. Some are calling it a denial of democracy although it is entirely legal and thus cannot be construed too seriously. Eleven members of council were absent. The decision to appoint the replacement will be made in 60 days.
