Sandra Bussin: Difference between revisions
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In 2006, she was appointed as the first [[Speaker of Toronto City Council]].<ref>Jim Byers. From teacher to first-ever speaker; Councillor Bussin accepts challenge to chair council meetings. Toronto Star. December 7, 2006. Pg. A18.</ref> |
In 2006, she was appointed as the first [[Speaker of Toronto City Council]].<ref>Jim Byers. From teacher to first-ever speaker; Councillor Bussin accepts challenge to chair council meetings. Toronto Star. December 7, 2006. Pg. A18.</ref> |
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== Controversies == |
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=== Campaign Donations === |
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In 2007, Bussin was criticized for supporting and voting in favour of the city's decision to award a lucrative restaurant operating contract without tender, even though the recipient was a personal friend. It was later revealed that the restaurant owner, several members of his family and several employees of the location had donated a total of $12,250 to Bussin's 2003 and 2006 re-election campaigns, each giving the maximum $750. Bussin defended her actions by saying that the recipient was a 'good fit' for the city.<ref>http://www.nowpublic.com/world/city-toronto-councilor-sandra-bussin-gets-12-250-cash-fixing-deal</ref> |
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In June 2010, a former employee of the restaurant operator told the Toronto Sun that he had been paid by the restaurant to "volunteer" for Bussin's campaign. This revelation has renewed calls by City Council to reopen the contract to be put out to tender.<ref>http://www.torontosun.com/comment/columnists/sueann_levy/2010/06/07/14300266.html</ref> |
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=== Office Budget === |
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In March 2010, Bussin was criticized for spending over $4,400 in taxpayers' money for self-promotion, including the diversion of her office operating budget to sponsor such community groups as the "Bussin's Blizzards" soccer team and the "Bussin's Blue Jays," T-ball squad.<ref>[http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/councillors-spend-thousands-in-public-cash-on-donations-that-boost-their-profile/article1505395/]</ref> |
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In August 2010, it was revealed that Bussin had to date spent $29,563.99 of her $46,241.25 annual office budget<ref>[http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2010/08/02/14902491.html]</ref>, the highest amount of any councillor and over 2.4x the $12,274 average<ref>[http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2010/08/02/14902776.html]</ref>. Included in her expenses were bills for lunches consumed at the "ladies caucus", an informal group of female coucillors who eat together on days city council meets<ref>[http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2010/08/02/14902421.html]</ref>. |
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=== Legal Actions === |
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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 for creating a mechanism whereby taxpayers can "be easily intimidated by a councillor who has the financial backing of the city".<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/677576 | work=The Star | location=Toronto | title=Councillor wins legal support from city | first=John | last=Spears | date=2009-08-07 | accessdate=2010-05-23}}</ref> Bussin's move was in contrast to Councillor Adam Heaps, who declined $65,000 in city money<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.insidetoronto.com/news/cityhall/article/511550--heaps-no-longer-wants-money-for-lawsuit-expenses|title=declined $65,000 in city money]}}</ref> for a similar libel suit. |
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=== Zoning Controversies === |
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In 2010, Bussin attempted to block a disabled woman from renovating her house in order to make it wheelchair accessible. Bussin sought to have the house re-classified as a heritage property in order to prevent the proposed construction, even though local residents had recently voted against a general designation for the street. Outrage by local residents caused Bussin to prematurely adjourn a community meeting in order to avoid answering criticism of her actions.<ref>[http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/818922--homeowners-challenge-councillor-over-heritage-designation]</ref> |
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In 2010, Bussin supported a proposed 12-storey condo with 144 units on the site of the former [[John Magno|Woodbine Building Supply store]] in the Danforth. Local residents were opposed to the project, which would be considerably larger than the two-storey retail buildings in the area, and higher than the recommended nine storeys in the Official Plan. The condo itself is also controversial because the ownership group includes John Magno, who is awaiting trial for second-degree murder for his role in the deadly arson that destroyed the site's previous building. Bussin, however, argued that “The Danforth has suffered over the years. When the subway came in, it literally died. Let’s see a revitalization of the Danforth. This is a beautiful building.”<ref>[http://www.torontosun.com/comment/columnists/rob_granatstein/2010/02/05/12763521.html]</ref> |
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From 2007-2010, Bussin was criticized for her management of the construction of a 29-unit supportive-housing building for the mentally ill near Woodbine Ave. and Gerrard St. While Bussin has publicly stated that "I think the project and the work that’s been done have been very good", local residents reported concerns with the process. "We were stonewalled by the local councillor and council, and planners. There’s bitterness there still that we weren’t involved in the planning," reported one resident<ref>[http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/843106--bitterness-surrounds-controversial-housing-project]</ref> |
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=== The "Three-Time Loser" Incident === |
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In September 2009, Bussin was criticized<ref>[http://www.torontosun.com/comment/editorial/2009/10/01/11222876-sun.html]</ref> for hiding her identity during a heated call to a political opponent's radio show. On September 25, Bussin placed a live on-air call to [[John Tory]]'s Newstalk 1010 "Strong Opinions" radio show in order to defend the legacy of outgoing Mayor David Miller<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/703370 | work=The Star | location=Toronto | title=Bogus call from councillor praises mayor, taunts Tory | first=Donovan | last=Vincent | date=2009-09-30 | accessdate=2010-05-23}}</ref>. 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<ref>[http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2009/10/01/11222936-sun.html]</ref>. Councillor [[Denzil Minnan-Wong]] requested a review of Bussin's actions from Toronto integrity commissioner Janet Leiper.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/toronto-council-speaker-admits-she-posed-as-caller-to-radio-show/article1306898/ | title=Toronto council speaker admits she posed as caller to radio show | publisher=''[[The Globe and Mail]]'' | date=2009-09-30 | first1=Jennifer | last1=Lewington | first2=Brodie | last2=Fenlon | first3=Anna | last3=Mehler Paperny | accessdate=2010-04-10}}</ref> |
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== References == |
== References == |
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Revision as of 18:09, 31 August 2010
Sandra Bussin | |
|---|---|
| File:Sandra pic.jpg | |
| City Councillor Ward 32 Beaches-East York | |
| Assumed office 1997 | |
| Preceded by | New position |
| Speaker of Toronto City Council | |
| Assumed office 2006 | |
| Preceded by | New position |
| Personal details | |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Occupation | Teacher |
Sandra Bussin is Speaker of Toronto City Council, and councillor representing Ward 32 Beaches-East York.
Personal life
Bussin graduated with a BA in fine arts from York University.[1]
Political Views
Bussin is known in council as an environmentalist,[2] who championed the modernisation of the Ashbridges Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant.[2] Bussin was formerly past Chair of the Roundtable for a Clean and Beautiful City.[3] Recent initiatives in the Councillor's ward include the shut down of 6 incinerators in Ashbridges Bay and a $2.2 million renovation and extension of the Beaches Library.[3] 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.[3] Bussin acquired the Kew Williams (Gardener's Cottage) for community use.[3] She secured $11 million for the landscape and active sport field plan in Ashbridges Bay area.[3]
While municipal politics are officially party-free, Bussin has a long history of membership in the Ontario New Democratic Party. Bussin is also closely aligned with mayor David Miller[3], himself considered to be on the left wing of the political spectrum [4].
Pre-City Hall
Bussin is a former teacher and trustee for the Toronto District School Board.[citation needed]
Prior to her election as a city councillor, Bussin served for 15 years as a senior political advisor at the provincial legislature for NDP MPP Morton Shulman.[4]
City Councillor
Elected in 1997 to the first Council of the newly amalgamated City of Toronto, Bussin is serving her fourth term as City Councillor for Ward 32 Beaches-East York.[3] In the council term from 2003 to 2006, Bussin served as a Deputy Mayor of Toronto, jointly with Joe Pantalone and Mike Feldman.[5]
In 2006, she was appointed as the first Speaker of Toronto City Council.[6]
References
- ^ Sue-Ann Levy. Fine art of fighting artsy-fartsy City Hall. Toronto Sun. October 28, 2008. [1], last accessed July 24, 2010.
- ^ a b Karen Palmer. Candidates go green, report finds ; Environment group rates councillors' track records. Toronto Star. November 3, 2000. Pg. B02
- ^ a b c d e f Sandra Bussin. City of Toronto Councillors. City of Toronto. [2], last accessed July 24, 2010.
- ^ Ashante Infantry. Just another frantic day for a rookie councillor. Toronto Star. May 6, 1998. pg. 1.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Jim Byers. From teacher to first-ever speaker; Councillor Bussin accepts challenge to chair council meetings. Toronto Star. December 7, 2006. Pg. A18.
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