Robin Buxton Potts will officially become Ward 13 Toronto Centre’s new city councillor, according to a recent city council meeting.
Potts was one of several nominees present at the meeting. She was voted in with 18 of 26 votes, including a vote from Toronto Mayor John Tory.
In her nomination speech prior to the vote, Potts listed her deep roots in Toronto Centre, her experience in municipal politics and endorsements from community leaders and former Toronto Centre city councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam.
Potts indicated that she does not intend to run for the seat in the October municipal election and will remain the interim counicillor for the rest of the term, helping with the transition period.
Prior to this appointment, Potts was the chief of staff for Wong-Tam since 2020 and the community relations strategic advisor for nine months prior to that.
Further, Potts will take on previous roles on several city-based committees by succeeding Tam.
This includes the planning and housing committee, the board of health, the city’s advisory committee for accessibility and as chair of the two spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer advisory commitee.
Ward 13 Toronto Centre’s city councillor seat became vacant in March when Wong-Tam announced their intention to run for the NDP in the 2022 Ontario election. This followed former NDP MPP Suze Morrison’s announcement that she would not seek re-election in Toronto Centre, citing health concerns.
Wong-Tam was voted in as Toronto Centre’s MPP on June 2. Their win continues the NDP’s hold in the traditionally Liberal stronghold of the downtown core.
CJRU is awaiting a response from Potts.
More details to come.
Listen to CJRU’S coverage of Robin Buxton Potts’ appointment as Toronto Centre’s city councillor.
