Trinity-Spadina (Ward 20) welcomed new city councillor Ceta Ramkhalawansingh this past July.

Long-serving city councillor Adam Vaughan resigned this spring for a successful run in a federal by-election in Trinity-Spadina. He is now the new member of parliament for the riding. Ramkhalawansingh was appointed by city council on an interim basis until the municipal election this fall.

Nothing but kind words have been said about her appointment by local residents’ associations.

Having been connected to Ward 20 for over four decades, Ceta has activated for issues throughout the spectrum from the establishment of a feminist studies program at the University of Toronto to minimizing the barriers faced by immigrant families with the Toronto school system. “[Ceta] knows the ropes,” says Tim Grant, chair of the Harbord Village Residents’ Association. “We are very pleased to have her.” “[Having] worked with Ceta over the years in her position with the Grange Resident’s Association, [we] admire her tenacity and dedication towards civic issues,” says David Harrison, chair of the Annex Residents’ Association, which was in support of her appointment. Ramkhalawansingh’s involvement within the community is evident, and the mark she has left is undeniable. She recently completed an almost 30-year career as a city staffer where she retired as Toronto’s diversity manager.

Ramkhalawansingh has no plans to seek the seat in the October 27th election.

—Meron Asefaw/Gleaner News