By Lincoln DePradine
Shawn Allen, a Black businessman and mortgage dealer, gave the crowded area of 20 political candidates his finest shot. Nevertheless, his tally of practically 3,000 votes was not sufficient to ship him to Toronto Metropolis Corridor as the brand new councillor for Scarborough–Rouge Park.
Allen acquired the third highest variety of ballots. A majority of voters, 26.86 p.c of them, selected Neethan Shan, outgoing govt director of the City Alliance on Race Relations, as their new councillor in Monday’s Ward 25 Scarborough by-election.
Shan is vowing to “construct capability” throughout the totally different neighbourhoods in Scarborough–Rouge Park, pledging that residents will “discover a voice’’ at metropolis corridor by means of him.
“When it’s wanted, I’ll put my foot down and make it possible for we’re heard,’’ mentioned Shan. “Scarborough can’t be ignored anymore. Scarborough can’t be disrespected or uncared for anymore.’’
Shan, a Tamil-Canadian, is just not a newcomer to politics. He beforehand has served as a Scarborough consultant at metropolis council.
He additionally has been a college trustee and chair of the Toronto District College Board. Shan additionally ran unsuccessfully as Member of Provincial Parliament for the New Democratic Get together.
Monday’s by-election was known as to decide on a substitute for Jennifer McKelvie, who left municipal politics and now occupies a seat within the Home of Commons as Liberal Member of Parliament for Ajax.
“Thanks, Scarborough–Rouge Park,’’ Shan mentioned in his victory speech to supporters on Monday night time. “This has been a protracted marketing campaign, a tiring one, however an inspirational one.’’
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow mentioned Shan might be a hardworking councillor.
“We want voices from Scarborough. He’ll champion the wants of individuals in Scarborough, whether or not or not it’s constructing extra houses that individuals can afford, making life extra reasonably priced, higher metropolis companies, higher public transit particularly, and holding crime low,’’ mentioned Chow.
“He has been on this space for a very long time and finished a number of neighborhood work, particularly within the Tamil neighborhood, but additionally on the race relations file. So, I welcome this expertise.’’
Shan, who will function a councillor for roughly a yr earlier than the following Toronto municipal election in 2026, mentioned he’ll “ensure metropolis corridor listens to Scarborough’’ when he returns to the council chambers.
LJI reporter
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