I wanted to run to replace Arielle Kayabaga but London's old boys club didn't allow it

This Opinion piece is by Mustafa Jilani, a London lawyer.

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There was no due process, no call for applications, no chance anyone else could even be considered for the recently vacated Ward 13 councillor position in London, Ont.

Mayor Ed Holder suggested John Fyfe-Millar as his preferred appointee, and the alliances were drawn. Practically every single councillor voting in favour of Mr. Millar's appointment stated they knew him personally. Buddies getting buddies into power. The old boys club.

I am a lawyer who works in Ward 13 and am a visible minority. After a decade of legal practice, I thought it was a good time to step up to serve my community. After all, who better to replace a progressive, young, black woman than another progressive, young, coloured lawyer who has an interest in seeing the downtown flourish.

When Arielle Kayabaga shifted to federal politics as the newly minted London-West MP she said she hoped "Black, Indigenous and people of colour will see themselves in council chambers."

A few weeks earlier, councillors Jesse Helmer and Mo Salih announced they wouldn't seek re-election to make space for a more diverse council. "Democracy is best served, and the City of London is best served, when we have a council that's reflective of the community," Salih said.

Unfortunately, it seems equity, diversity and inclusion wasn't on the radar for some on this council. Of the 14 people who currently make up London City Council, only one (Salih) is a visible minority, and only three are women.

Against this backdrop, it was no surprise that another gentleman who "fit the mold" was brought on board. The reason spouted for his promotion was the fact that he came second in the Ward 13 race three years ago.

Would we appoint the second-place finisher in a federal or provincial election? Mr. Millar's credentials get lauded next, but that's missing the point. "It's not about his aptitude for the role, but the way he got it," stated councillor Helmer.

Visible minorities make up more than 20 per cent of London's population and this number continues to grow each year, according to Statistics Canada. Despite the increasing diversity of our population, the city council, along with the individuals on its boards and commissions, do not reflect the diversity of our city. Additionally, the latest statistics show that the largest growing segment of our population are those under 40.

Arielle Kayabaga was an important voice, not only because she was a progressive in a largely conservative council, but mainly because she represented a young diverse voice.

By replacing her with someone who is her opposite, the current council has made clear what they don't care about. Instead of at least attempting to have a transparent due process, like a by-election or an application process, they touted one name and went ahead to appoint the same.

What of the ideals of council reflecting the diversity of our city? The perspectives of our youth? Almost everyone in this old boys club will be seeking re-election in 2022, including the newly minted Ward 13 councillor.