TORONTO — Ensuring a fair election in Toronto next month is becoming “virtually impossible,” the official in charge of the vote said Thursday as a battle with the province over the size of the city’s council raged on. Toronto city clerk Ulli Watkiss said every delay between now and the Oct. 22 vote affects her ability to ensure fairness, regardless of whether Toronto’s electoral map will retain its current 47 wards, or 25, as the Ontario government wants. Watkiss said delays in passing the legislation and the delivery of regulations to the city concerning Toronto’s looming election could further compound the matter. Municipal Affairs Minister Steve Clark said Thursday that he still believes the city can head to the polls as scheduled. “On behalf of FCM’s Big City Mayors’ Caucus, I am offering full support to the City of Toronto’s efforts to protect local democracy.”

Source: National Post September 13, 2018 19:07 UTC