1962 Toronto municipal election

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Municipal elections were held in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on December 3, 1962. Incumbent mayor Nathan Phillips, then the longest-serving mayor in Toronto history, lost to Controller Donald Summerville by a significant margin. Two major referendums were also held in Metro Toronto. The most controversial was over water fluoridation, which passed by a slim margin of 166,960 to 163,240. The areas outside Toronto also voted to remove some of the last of the Blue Laws by allowing movies to be shown on Sundays, something that was already allowed in the city itself.

Toronto mayor

Phillips had first been elected to city council in 1926 and was elected mayor in 1954. He had won an unprecedented four elections to become the longest-serving mayor in Toronto history. Summerville was much younger and had first been elected to council in 1955, representing the eastern Beaches area. One of the central issues of the campaign was a desire for change and a more youthful mayor. Summerville won by large margin more than doubling Phillips' total. Summerville won every ward in the city, including Phillips' former area. Less than a year into his term Summerville died of a heart attack while playing hockey, and was replaced by Controller Philip Givens.

Board of Control

Summerville's decision to run for mayor opened one position on the Board of Control, the four-person executive committee elected at large across the city. This opening was won by former mayor Allan Lamport, who bested council members Margaret Campbell and Ken Waters. The two Controllers with the most votes also sit on Metropolitan Toronto Council.

City council

Two aldermen were elected per Ward. The alderman with the most votes was declared Senior Alderman and sat on both Toronto City Council and Metro Council. Results are taken from the December 4, 1962 Toronto Star and might not exactly match final tallies.

Changes

Mayor Donald Summerville died on November 19, 1963. Controller Philip Givens became Acting Mayor and on November 25 was unanimously chosen Mayor. On November 28 Controller William Dennison was appointed a Metro Councillor; Ward 3 Alderman William Archer was chosen controller and Ward 3's remaining Alderman Charles Tidy was chosen Metro Councillor. On December 9 Helen Johnston was appointed Ward 3 Alderman.

Suburbs

East York

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Etobicoke

This was the first Board of Control elected in Etobicoke. Leonard Braithwaite became the first Black person to be elected to Etobicoke Town Council, as a councillor for Ward 4. (source: Toronto Daily Star, page 19, December 4, 1962)

Forest Hill

Leaside

Acting Mayor Lloyd M. Dickinson was initially declared the winner by 14 votes but Nealson won after a recount conducted on December 27, 1962.

Long Branch

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Mimico

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New Toronto

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North York

Source: The major campaign issue was the proposal to amalgamate Metropolitan Toronto's 13 municipalities into 6 boroughs. Goodhead opposed amalgamation while Service favoured it.

Scarborough

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Swansea

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Weston

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York

Mould defeated former reeve Christopher Tonks. He was declared the victor by 44 votes after a recount.

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