Toronto Councillor Ana Bailão not seeking re-election in October
Toronto City Councillor Ana Bailão will not be seeking re-election in the fall.
The Ward 9 - Davenport councillor and deputy mayor announced on Thursday that she is leaving office after serving for 12 years and three terms.
“I think it's just an opportunity to do something in a different way and bring renewal to City Hall as well and be able to serve and contribute to the city but in a certain way,” she told CP24 Thursday morning.
“I’m proud of the work that we've done to bring affordable housing to the forefront of the city's agenda. Very proud of the work that I've done locally in my community and I think after 12 years, I need to find different ways to contribute,” she added.
Bailão has served on city council since 2010 and will continue her position until a new councillor is elected in October.
Bailão is also the city’s housing advocate and serves on the boards of the Toronto Community Housing Corporation and CreateTO, which manages all of the city’s real estate assets.
She says her work in housing advocacy stemmed from being a young immigrant to Canada and understanding how safe and stable housing is the foundation for a successful and prosperous life in the country.
Mayor John Tory says Bailão has been a key member of his administration and a champion for housing.
"I will miss her here at City Hall but I am confident she will do great things in whatever she decides to do next. And I hope we will one day see her again in politics - we need more people like Ana Bailão in public life. No matter what, I know she will always be a strong advocate for getting housing built," Tory wrote in a statement on Thursday.
While reflecting on her time in office Bailão says it was challenging but extremely rewarding to serve her community.
“...This is a huge, huge privilege and honour. You have such special moments that when you see in somebody's eyes, in some of the conversations, the way that you can impact their lives, it is so rewarding.”
Bailão says she’s not sure what she’ll embark on next and that her work in politics may not be over.
“Right now I'm looking to see if I can, you know, contribute in the private world, but I never say never. Again, it's not about the position, it's how you can impact change and affect change. And especially in the areas that I'm very passionate, like housing, you can impact change in all three orders of government, nonprofit, private sector, because you need everybody, really, to deal with this issue,” she said.
Toronto’s municipal election is set for Oct. 24, 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Pro-Palestinian protests roiling U.S. colleges escalate with arrests, new encampments and closures
The student protests of Israel's war with Hamas that have been creating friction at U.S. universities escalated Tuesday as new encampments sprouted and some colleges encouraged students to stay home and learn online, after dozens of arrests across the country.