By Michelle Garibay, Heta Khakhar, Scott Mclaughlin, Upkar Singh and James Westman
Amber Morley upset long-time city councillor Mark Grimes in Ward 3 Etobicoke-Lakeshore on Monday night.
“I’m really excited and feel exhilarated, but obviously exhausted,” Morley told Humber News on Monday night as her jubilant supporters celebrated and cheered her headline making win.
Grimes had represented Ward 3 for almost 20 years. He won the 2018 election with more than 40 per cent with significant support from John Tory who was re-elected as mayor on Monday night.
“I’m just so grateful for all of the people who are here today,” Morley said, acknowledging the hard work of her campaign team in the hard-fought race in the city’s west end.
“Thank you, guys. We did it!” she said.
Tj Goertz, one of the volunteers in the Morley’s campaign, said they got an incredibly large group of volunteers from all different demographics.
“The community is ready for change, and Amber is gonna bring that change,” Goertz told Humber News.
Morley will now have the chance to execute her plans from her campaign, as she wants to bring new and sustainable leadership to the city by ensuring “access to a range of housing options” and investing in community spaces.
She received 46.6 per cent of the vote with 81 of 86 polls reporting, compared to Grimes’ 40.3 per cent.
In the 2018 election, Tory issued a last-minute endorsement of Grimes when Ward 3 voters received robocalls. Tory urged voters to vote for Grimes in these robocalls.
Etobicoke-Lakeshore has seen significant population growth in recent years which makes housing an important topic for these elections.
Grimes has said he wanted to provide the services that people rely on. He said he wants to work on the future of Etobicoke-Lakeshore.