Ward 13's Fyfe-Millar looks beyond council divisions to achieve goals for downtown
“I’m not accountable to the people (on city council) who voted me in. The important thing is being accountable to the residents of Ward 13,” said John Fyfe-Millar to CTV News London shortly after being appointed to fill a vacant seat on city council.
The second-place finisher in the 2018 election was appointed after a contentious debate and a narrow seven to six vote by London city council.
“I respect the fact that there was a lot of debate. I respect the passion that’s there,” says Fyfe-Millar. “To me, this (debate) is done. It’s time to move forward together.”
The ward includes downtown London and several core neighbourhoods.
“There’s a lot of great things going on down here, but I think we need to address some of those nagging issues,” he explains.
Fyfe-Millar commits to hit the ground running once he’s officially sworn into office.
“I think a real focus on the homelessness issue and the safety issue in our downtown has to be a priority. I also think when we look outside the downtown, there’s so much exciting happening in SOHO right now. There’s a development coming up there. I’ll be talking to the community about that. There’s also the development around Victoria Park and getting some insight on that.”
Fyfe-Millar will serve the remaining year of this council term, replacing Arielle Kayabaga who made the leap to federal politics.
He also commits to seek re-election in October 2022.
“My intent is to be here for the residents for the long term. Being here for the long term is committing to them in 2022. That makes me accountable today, tomorrow, and when I step into this role.”
Appointment followed contentious debate, narrow vote
Councillor Shawn Lewis voiced his support for the decision to appoint Fyfe-Millar.
“It’s not just the work he’s done on the DLBA (Downtown London Business Association), the Blackfriars Community Association, the Committee of Adjustment, Chamber of Commerce. He is deeply invested in the ward.”
Fyfe-Millar finished a close second to Arielle Kayabaga in the 2018 election.
But Councillor Jesse Helmer is not in favour of the decision.
“I am saying in the strongest possible terms that this is the wrong way for Mr. Fyfe-Millar to come onto council. If he wants to be elected to council, he can run again in 2022.”
Meanwhile the vacant seat in Ward Six will take a bit longer to fill.
Council backed a plan to hold an “open call for applications” before making a choice in November.
The appointment of Fyfe-Millar exposed the deep political divide on council.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Canucks beat Oilers 5-4 in comeback to take Game 1
The Vancouver Canucks won the first game of their NHL playoffs series with the Edmonton Oilers 5-4 on Wednesday night coming back from a three-goal deficit.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.