Item - 2020.EX18.11
Tracking Status
- City Council adopted this item on November 25 and 26, 2020 with amendments.
- This item was considered by Executive Committee on November 18, 2020. It is being forwarded to City Council without recommendations. It will be considered by City Council on November 25 and 26, 2020.
- See also 2020.MM25.10
EX18.11 - Preserving Ranked Ballot Elections
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Amended
- Wards:
- All
City Council Decision
City Council on November 25 and 26, 2020, adopted the following:
1. City Council request the Government of Ontario to respect local decision-making with regards to local elections and withdraw its amendment to the Municipal Elections Act as it relates to ranked ballot elections.
Background Information (Committee)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2020/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-158031.pdf
Communications (Committee)
Communications (City Council)
(November 24, 2020) E-mail from Tim Ellis (CC.New.EX18.11.3)
Motions (City Council)
That City Council request the Government of Ontario to respect local decision-making with regards to local elections and withdraw its amendment to the Municipal Elections Act as it relates to ranked ballot elections.
Vote (Adopt Item as Amended) Nov-25-2020 5:38 PM
Result: Carried | Majority Required - EX18.11 - Carroll - motion 1 - Adopt the Item as amended |
---|---|
Total members that voted Yes: 13 | Members that voted Yes are Paul Ainslie, Ana Bailão, Brad Bradford, Shelley Carroll, Mike Colle, Joe Cressy, John Filion, Paula Fletcher, Mike Layton, Josh Matlow, Jennifer McKelvie, Gord Perks, Kristyn Wong-Tam |
Total members that voted No: 11 | Members that voted No are Gary Crawford, Michael Ford, Mark Grimes, Stephen Holyday, Cynthia Lai, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Frances Nunziata (Chair), James Pasternak, Anthony Perruzza, Jaye Robinson, Michael Thompson |
Total members that were Absent: 1 | Members that were absent are John Tory |
That the item be received for information.
Vote (Receive Item) Nov-25-2020 5:31 PM
Result: Lost (tie) | Majority Required - EX18.11 - Ford - motion 2 |
---|---|
Total members that voted Yes: 12 | Members that voted Yes are Gary Crawford, Michael Ford, Mark Grimes, Stephen Holyday, Cynthia Lai, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Frances Nunziata (Chair), James Pasternak, Anthony Perruzza, Jaye Robinson, Michael Thompson, John Tory |
Total members that voted No: 12 | Members that voted No are Paul Ainslie, Ana Bailão, Brad Bradford, Shelley Carroll, Mike Colle, John Filion, Paula Fletcher, Mike Layton, Josh Matlow, Jennifer McKelvie, Gord Perks, Kristyn Wong-Tam |
Total members that were Absent: 1 | Members that were absent are Joe Cressy |
Councillor Pasternak, on a Point of Order, stated that earlier that the Deputy City Clerk Elections had advised that Bill 218, Supporting Ontario's Recovery and Municipal Elections Act, 2020 had not received Royal Assent however the City Solicitor advised that the Bill has received Royal Assent.
The Deputy City Clerk Elections advised Council that she was not aware that the Bill had received Royal Assent and apologized for any confusion.
Mayor Tory, on a Point of Privilege, stated that he voted incorrectly on motion 2 by Councillor Ford to receive the Item as he is a supporter of ranked ballots, and asked that Council reconsider the vote on motion 2.
Councillor Perks, on a Point of Order, stated that Mayor Tory changing his vote would not change the result.
The Interim City Clerk advised that when there is a tie vote and a Member wishes to change their vote, the convention in the Council Chamber is to observe the parliamentary principle of not to putting it to vote, because it could change the outcome, not the outcome of whether it carries or loses, but it gives other Members an opportunity to change their vote at the same time. The Interim City Clerk further advised that if Council wishes to ignore that convention and proceed to re-open the vote, City Council must do so with the understanding and acceptance of the risk that other Members may change their vote and the result of the vote may change, which has occurred in the past.
Mayor Tory, on a Point of Order, withdrew his request to reconsider the vote on motion 2.
Councillor Perks, on a Point of Privilege, stated that the Speaker should withdraw her remark that City Council had asked the Province for help on a previous Item and is now opposing the Province on the current Item, as the Speaker's role is to officiate and not to editorialize.
Mayor Tory on a Point of Privilege, stated that he wished to apologize to City Council for the confusion earlier in the meeting when he had requested to change his vote.
Rulings (City Council)
EX18.11 - Preserving Ranked Ballot Elections
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Without Recs
- Wards:
- All
Committee Recommendations
The Executive Committee submits the Item to City Council without recommendation.
Origin
Summary
On October 20, 2020, the Provincial government tabled Bill 218, Supporting Ontario's Recovery and Municipal Elections Act, 2020. This Bill revokes the framework in place as part of the Municipal Elections Act to allow municipalities to elect Council members using ranked ballots.
As the level of government that most directly interacts with residents everyday lives, municipalities are best positioned to decide whether ranked ballots make sense in their jurisdiction. Several Ontario municipalities have already completed significant work to proceed with ranked ballots. The Government of Ontario should respect that work and the will of those people and their elected representatives.
In Toronto, Council has voted several times on the matter of ranked choice voting, most recently, to proceed with the consultations required under the current framework for the use of ranked ballots for the 2026 election. The rationale that ranked ballots will interfere with the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic surely does not apply.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2020/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-158031.pdf
Communications
Speakers
Councillor Shelley Carroll
Motions
Vote (Adopt Item) Nov-18-2020
Result: Lost (tie) | Majority Required - EX18.11 - Adopt the Item |
---|---|
Total members that voted Yes: 3 | Members that voted Yes are Paul Ainslie, Ana Bailão, John Tory (Chair) |
Total members that voted No: 3 | Members that voted No are Frances Nunziata, James Pasternak, Michael Thompson |
Total members that were Absent: 2 | Members that were absent are Gary Crawford, Denzil Minnan-Wong |