Toronto's newest city councillor resigns hours after appointment over anti-LGBTQ social media posts
CBC
Toronto's newest city councillor has resigned just hours after she was appointed on Friday.
Rosemarie Bryan faced a growing chorus of calls for her resignation after it was revealed that she had repeatedly shared anti-LGBTQ content on Facebook.
Bryan announced her resignation Friday night in a written statement, saying she did not want to make anyone in the city feel like they are not loved and not part of the community.
"I am so devastated that past social media posts I have made are now being thrown against my decades of commitment to the community," Bryan wrote in the statement.
"I recognize councillors were not aware of those posts before today's discussion and now that they are, I recognize many would not have cast their vote for me," she said.
Several city councillors took to Twitter Friday afternoon to express their disgust over the views in the posts shared by Bryan.
"I want to state unequivocally that had I seen these posts before the vote, I would have never supported Rosemary. I believe that considering this new information, she should resign," Coun. Buxton Potts wrote on Twitter.
Coun. Brad Bradford says nobody on Toronto city council shares "these abhorrent views."
"Had we been made aware of them prior to voting, she would not have been supported. With the info we have now, I hope Rosemarie Bryan does the right thing and resigns," Bradford tweeted.
Meanwhile, Coun. Josh Matlow says he doesn't believe anyone who supports hate and bigotry should be a Toronto city councillor or hold any public office.
"This is disgraceful. Rosemarie Bryan shouldn't have been appointed and must resign immediately," Matlow said in a tweet.
On Friday, council appointed Bryan as councillor for Ward 1, Etobicoke North. The seat was previously held by Michael Ford, Premier Doug Ford's nephew, who on Friday was sworn in as Ontario's new minister of citizenship and multiculturalism.
Bryan's appointment took effect immediately, and was to run until the current term expires on Monday, Nov. 14.
"I don't want to hurt all those who supported me and I remain committed to helping my community in any and every way I can," Bryan said in her statement.
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