Sandra Bussin is Speaker of Toronto City Council, and councillor representing Ward 32 Beaches-East York.

Elected in 1997 to the first Council of the newly amalgamated City of Toronto, Bussin is serving her third term as City Councillor for Ward 32 Beaches-East York. In the council term from 2003 to 2006, Bussin served as a Deputy Mayor of Toronto, jointly with Joe Pantalone and Mike Feldman. A former educator and public School Trustee, she has a long record of public service, including 15 years as a senior political advisor at the provincial legislature.

She is best known in council as an environmentalist who championed the modernisation of the Ashbridges Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant. Bussin was formerly past Chair of the Roundtable for a Clean and Beautiful City. 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. 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. Bussin acquired the Kew Williams (Gardener's Cottage) for community use. She secured $11 million for the landscape and active sport field plan in Ashbridges Bay area.

In 1974, Bussin graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from York University.

Bussin has recently received criticism for using tax revenue to cover personal legal expenses resulting from a libel suit directed against a local newspaper in Ward 32.^[1]

During John Tory's radio show, Bussin made an on-air call to Newstalk 1010 and masquaraded as an anonymous caller, denying that she worked for the City of Toronto despite being asked three times by the co-host. Bussin defending outgoing Toronto mayor David Miller and then said "And good luck to you, John, because you're a three-time loser. And I don't see you being successful in the future." The radio station later interviewed some city councillors who identified the voice as Bussin's. Bussin afterwards sent a letter to Tory apologizing and apologized to council afterwards. ^{[2] [3] [4]} Councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong asked the city’s new integrity commissioner, Janet Leiper, to investigate Bussin’s conduct, saying “It’s bad character. I’m embarrassed for her and I’m embarrassed for this entire council for what she did. She’s the speaker of this chamber. She’s the holder of the rules. She’s supposed to reflect certain conduct and decorum.” ^[5]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

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

• Sandra Bussin official website
• Sandra Bussin profile on City of Toronto website

Preceded by new position - Mayor of Toronto formerly as Chair of Toronto City Council

Speaker of Toronto City Council 2006–

Succeeded by incumbent

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