Toronto mayoral victory leaves Miller 'proud, humbled'
David Miller has been returned as mayor ofToronto in Monday's civic election, cruising to an easy victory over his main challenger, Jane Pitfield.
"Tonight I'm both proud and humbled," Miller said in his victory speech."I'm proud to be re-elected as mayor of our great city, but I'm also humbled by the democratic process and by the trust that Torontonians have placed in me."
Miller said the past three years have been about cleaning up the streets and city hall, andcitednew agreements negotiated with the province and federal government.
"It's a great foundation on which to build. And build we must. We can't be satisfied with what we've achieved today because we must build the city of tomorrow," he said.
Miller vowed to continue supporting community policing, strengthening public transit and callingfor all permanent residents to have the right to vote in the city.
Miller also promised to ask the provincial and federal government for a one cent share of the existing sales tax.
"We will not take no for an answer," he said.
Miller won 57 per cent of the vote, while Pitfield trailed at 32 per cent. Stephen LeDrew, former president of the Liberal Party of Canada, trailed badly with 1.3 per cent of the vote.
Pitfield, a former city councillor,conceded defeat in a speech at 8:30 p.m. ET.
Valuable experience
Nevertheless, she called her campaignto becomemayor of Canada's largest city the best experience in her life.
"Itâs been 11 months of hard work," she said. "But Iâm glad that I stepped forward because if I hadnât there wouldnât have been much of an election."
She ruled out running for council again, and speculated about starting up her own business.
Jane Pepino, aMiller supporter,said many had high expectations when Miller first came into office in 2003, after he waved a broom during the election campaign and promised to clean up the city.
But she said much of his first term was spent laying the foundation for big changes expected in Miller's second term.
"I think the next four years are going to be dynamite and people wonât be disappointed," Pepino said.