9:54 p.m. Aurora Mayoralty Race

Incumbent Mayor Phyllis Morris, formerly a three-term councillor, and deputy mayor, failed to win re-election in the town of Aurora.
Fighting mostly on a pro-environment and anti-developer platform, Morris was defeated by Geoff Dawe by a margin of 4,500 votes.
Aurora’s code of conduct and its integrity-commissioner position have been hot topics during the campaign — a number of mayoral candidates have vowed to scrap the latter and take a close look at the former.
But the election has been relatively quiet compared to the raucous events of the summer of 2009, when Aurora council was bitterly divided, with one camp favouring Morris and the other, her vocal, long-time critic, Councillor Evelyn Buck.
The two were embroiled in a nasty battle that started with Buck’s outspoken political blog and culminated in a $5.2-million lawsuit that Buck filed against Morris and five other council members, alleging they abused their power by launching an ethics complaint against her.

 

9:45 Ford greeted by supporters

Mayor elect Rob Ford mobbed by elated crowd at the Toronto Congress Centre

The concession speeches, 9:21 p.m.

George Smitherman congratulates new faces on city council in conceding defeat to mayor elect Rob Ford. He shushes campaign crowd and wishes mayor elect Rob Ford well. “There are no boos tonight, we love our city,” Smitherman says. “No matter how disappointing the results we will all celebrate the end of a grueling campaign,” he tells supporters at a lakeshore dance club. “I accept full responsibility for tonight’s outcome,” Smitherman says. “It’s my duty to own up to the mistakes I made.”

Meanwhile at Revival on College St., Joe Pantalone, flanked by companion Theresa and his daughter Anna, concedes Ford's respect for taxpayers message had won the day. "Do not be discouraged my friends," he tells cheering supporters. "It's never too late to build a better world." Pantalone says it is remarkable that a labourer's son who arrived here at 13 with no English could end up running for mayor. He vows to continue in some capacity to build the city he loves.

Smitherman concedes, 9:12 p.m.

George Smithman is giving his concession speech at his headquarters, the Guverment, tonight.

"To Rob and his entire campaign team, I offer congratulations," he said to the man who defeated him, Rod Ford. "I hope for your success, Rob. Toronto is too important. There are no boos tonight. We love our city."

He thanked "the purple army," -- his campaign team. His voice breaking, he thanked his family.

"The people of Toronto have spoken and they've sent a very clear message," he said. "I accept full reponsibility. It is my duty to own up to the mistakes I made."

8:46 p.m.

At a College St. Bar, Pantalone supporters stoically greet the news of Ford's win. Campaign workers tell themselves they did their best and life goes on.

"Anger trumps hope," says NDP MP Olivia Chow. Chow says she hopes Ford reaches out to progressives on council to achieve consensus on issues.

 NDP MPP Rosario Marchese says the economy drove people to seek change. "I think people are financially stressed. When you find yourself pinched, you want to take it out on somebody."

8:45 p.m.

Toronto Mayor elect Rob Ford says his first priority will be ending city’s $60,000 car allowance, CP24 says.

8:37 p.m.

Smitherman's press secretary is understandably dismayed at the election results. Says Erika Mozes: "Obviously they're not the numbers we hoped for," she said. "We're all really proud of the work we did and we're all really proud of George."

With 89 per cent of polls reporting, Rob Ford gains more votes than George Smitherman and Joe Pantalone combined.

8:33 p.m.

"The huns have taken Rome," Kyle Rae says at Ken Chan's party in Ward 27, Toronto Centre Rosedale. He is clearly not impressed with Ford's victory. He's swearing as he watches results.

8:28 p.m.

At Ford headquarters: The Congress Centre is filling up now. We will rock you is blaring from the speakers. Ford supporters are waving Canadian flags and dancing.

Doug Ford joins his brother Rob on council, says he will “take a business approach to city hall.”

 

“My first priority will be to sit down with Rob and the other councillors.”

At Smitherman headquarters: It's really quiet. People are more confused by the results. It's very silent. It's as if they didn't expect it to end so soon.

They had a musician here...and he's playing over the television broadcasts. One woman named Cyma Musaraf said: "It's so shocking. It's basically the Liberals have become so unpopular because of taxes that's what I think. Few supporters continue to trickle in. But there is no sign of Smitherman.

8:12 p.m.

At Smitherman's campaign party, supporters are huddled around the TVs waiting for the first results to come through.

As Ford shoots to the early lead, one woman explains, "That means nothing. It's the suburbs."
Well over 100 people are clustered around here.