Incumbent Paul Ainslie reclaims Ward 43 seat

At Ward 43 councilor Paul Ainslie’s campaign headquarters, the crowd of close friends, relatives, and supporters erupted in high-fives, fist-pumps and hugs following the result that he’d be re-elected for a second term in Scarborough East.

In a landslide victory, Ainslie secured over 60 per cent of votes cast, close to 8,600 votes, more than double his closest rival, John Laforet.

“Let’s go take down the signs,” Ainslie said, after early polls showed him as the frontrunner.  As the good news came in, his wife Janet shed a few tears and the couple embraced with a kiss and hugged their three children.

Wearing his City Hall lapel pin proudly, the returning councilor admitted to the Observer he never felt in danger of losing his seat.  “I felt I’ve worked hard the past four years in the community,” said Ainslie.

Supporter Saleh Hatejee shared the sentiment.  “I’m ecstatic for Paul.  There was no chance he was going to lose.  He’s had great initiatives in the area.  Ainslie has done a great job with the Cederbrae Library renovation and he voted against the vehicle registration and land transfer tax.”

Ainslie said he hopes to work with newly elected mayor of Toronto Rob Ford against the vehicle registration fee, but the first work on his agenda is taking the next few days to spend time with his kids.

Toronto’s first post-election city council meeting is Dec. 7.

About this article

By: Ryan Jhagroo
Posted: Oct 26 2010 11:14 am
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Filed under: Toronto Votes 2010
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