Sandra Bussin

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Sandra Bussin
City Councillor for Ward 32 Beaches-East York
In office
December 1, 2000 – November 30, 2010
Preceded by New riding
Succeeded by Mary-Margaret McMahon
Speaker of Toronto City Council
In office
2006–2010
Preceded by New position
Succeeded by Frances Nunziata
City Councillor for Ward 26 - East Toronto with Tom Jakobek
In office
January 1, 1998 – November 30, 2000
Preceded by New riding
Succeeded by Riding abolished
Personal details
Nationality Canadian
Occupation Teacher

Sandra Bussin is a Canadian businesswoman and former politician in Toronto, Canada. She was a municipal councillor for Toronto City Council representing Ward 32, an area called the Beaches. From 2006 to 2010 she was Speaker of Toronto City Council.

Background

Bussin was born in Toronto and grew up in the Dawes Road area.[1] She attended Coleman Avenue Public School, then to Central Tech and Eastern Commerce. Bussin graduated with a BA in fine arts from York University.[2]

Bussin is a former teacher and trustee for the Toronto District School Board.[3]

Prior to her election as a city councillor, Bussin served for 15 years as a senior political advisor at the provincial legislature for NDP Member of Provincial Parliament Morton Shulman.[4]

Political views

Bussin was known at council as an environmentalist,[5] who championed the modernisation of the Ashbridges Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant.[5] Bussin was formerly past Chair of the Roundtable for a Clean and Beautiful City.[6] During her time as councillor six incinerators were shut down. She also managed a $2.2 million renovation and extension of the Beaches Library.[6] As well, $12 million was approved to build the new Main Square Recreation Centre and $750,000 for the new addition of the Kimberley Public School.[6] Bussin acquired the Kew Williams (Gardener's Cottage) for community use.[6] She secured $11 million for the landscape and active sport field plan in Ashbridges Bay area.[6]

During her time on city council, Bussin was closely aligned with mayor David Miller,[7] who is considered to be on the left wing of the political spectrum.[8]

City Councillor

Elected in 1997 to the first council of the newly amalgamated City of Toronto, Bussin served four terms as City Councillor for Ward 32 Beaches-East York.[6] In the council term from 2003 to 2006, Bussin served as a Deputy Mayor of Toronto, jointly with Joe Pantalone and Mike Feldman.[9]

In 2006, she was appointed as the first Speaker of Toronto City Council.[10]

Sandra Bussin was defeated by newcomer Mary-Margaret McMahon in the municipal election held on October 25, 2010. McMahon defeated Bussin by a margin of over 2.5 to 1.[11]

Controversies

In 2009, Bussin won financial support from Toronto City Council to take legal action against a local publication, Ward 32 News, which she claimed had made untrue and defamatory statements about her. This case was criticized by councillor Mike Del Grande, who was quoted by the Toronto Star as saying that "taxpayers could be easily intimidated by a councillor who has the financial backing of the city".[12]

In September 2009, Bussin placed a live call to John Tory's Newstalk 1010 Strong Opinions radio show to defend the legacy of outgoing Mayor David Miller.[13] Bussin provided only her first name and denied that she worked for the City of Toronto. She then concluded her call by saying "And good luck to you, John, because you're a three-time loser. And I don't see you being successful in the future." After being revealed as the caller, Bussin apologized to both Tory and to city council.[14] Councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong requested a review of Bussin's actions from Toronto integrity commissioner Janet Leiper.[15]

In 2010, prior to her electoral defeat, Bussin faced criticism for her role in three unrelated zoning disputes involving an older house,[16] the post-arson replacement of a commercial building,[17] and a supportive-housing project for the mentally ill.[18] Also that year, Bussin was criticized for allocating her office operating budget to community groups including youth sports teams,[19] and a former restaurant employee told the Toronto Sun that he had been paid by the restaurant to "volunteer" for Bussin's campaign.[20]

After politics

As of 2012, Bussin works as a real estate agent for Forest Hill Real Estate Inc. She also writes a monthly column for a community newspaper called the Town Crier.[21]

Election results

2010 Toronto election, Ward 32
Candidate Votes[22] %
Mary-Margaret McMahon 15,159 65.14
Sandra Bussin 5,998 25.78
Keith Begley 753 3.24
Bruce Baker 477 2.05
Brad Feraday 354 1.52
Martin Gladstone 210 0.90
Neil Sinclair 190 0.82
Albert Castells 66 0.28
Kieron Pope 63 0.27
Total 23,270 100.00

References

  1. ↑ "Tasty Caribbean Treats, Beach Neighbourhood, Toronto, Sandra Bussin, city councillor, Ontario". Travelandtransitions.com. Retrieved 2010-12-31. 
  2. ↑ Sue-Ann Levy. Fine art of fighting artsy-fartsy City Hall. Toronto Sun. October 28, 2008. Retrieved July 24, 2010.
  3. ↑ 1994 Toronto general election results (former Metropolitan Toronto). Last accessed January 8, 2011.
  4. ↑ Ashante Infantry. Just another frantic day for a rookie councillor. Toronto Star. May 6, 1998. pg. 1.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Karen Palmer. Candidates go green, report finds; Environment group rates councillors' track records. Toronto Star. November 3, 2000. Pg. B02
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 Sandra Bussin. City of Toronto Councillors. City of Toronto. Archived Bio. Retrieved July 24, 2010.
  7. ↑ "Miller Goes To Bat For Friends". Toronto Election News. 2010-05-06. Retrieved 2010-12-31. 
  8. ↑ Vincent, Donovan; Moloney, Paul (2009-10-30). "Is Mayor David Miller a lame duck?". Toronto Star. Retrieved 2010-12-31. 
  9. ↑ Bruce Demara. Miller on duty, even from the slopes; Mayor only ever a phone call away Councillors still in holiday mode. Toronto Star. December 30, 2003. Pg. B02.
  10. ↑ Jim Byers. From teacher to first-ever speaker; Councillor Bussin accepts challenge to chair council meetings. Toronto Star. December 7, 2006. Pg. A18.
  11. ↑ "CTV Toronto - Five incumbents tossed, 14 new faces on next council - CTV News". Toronto.ctv.ca. Retrieved 2010-12-31. 
  12. ↑ Spears, John (2009-08-07). "Councillor wins legal support from city". The Star (Toronto). Retrieved 2010-05-23. 
  13. ↑ Vincent, Donovan (2009-09-30). "Bogus call from councillor praises mayor, taunts Tory". The Star (Toronto). Retrieved 2010-05-23. 
  14. ↑ Weese, Bryn. "Bussin stirs up hot air". Toronto Sun. Retrieved 2010-12-31. 
  15. ↑ Lewington, Jennifer; Fenlon, Brodie; Mehler Paperny, Anna (2009-09-30). "Toronto council speaker admits she posed as caller to radio show". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2010-04-10. 
  16. ↑ Winsa, Patty (2010-06-03). "Homeowners challenge councillor over heritage designation". Toronto: thestar.com. Retrieved 2010-12-31. 
  17. ↑ Granatstein, Rob. "Fiery controversy over condo: Granatstein". Toronto Sun. Retrieved 2010-12-31. 
  18. ↑ Vincent, Donovan (2010-08-02). "Bitterness surrounds controversial housing project". Toronto: thestar.com. Retrieved 2010-12-31. 
  19. ↑ "Councillors spend thousands in public cash on donations that boost their profile". Toronto: The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2010-12-31. 
  20. ↑ SUE-ANN LEVY, Toronto Sun. "Former chef was asked to 'volunteer' on Bussin campaign". Toronto Sun. Retrieved 2010-12-31. 
  21. ↑ Kuitenbrower, Peter (2012-02-02). "Bussin might want to take up baking; Ex-councillor won't leave her old seat behind". National Post. p. A11. 
  22. ↑ "Ward 32, Beaches-East York, Councillor". City of Toronto. Retrieved 2012-05-09. 

External links

Wikinews has related news: Beaches—East York (Ward 32) city council candidates speak


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