An MPP who emerged as a voice of reason. Two colleagues who will suddenly face off against each other on Oct. 22. A pair of politicians who won the day, but may pay a political price for doing so.The winners and losers of this summer’s municipal-election battles became clearer on Wednesday, after a Court of Appeal decision virtually guaranteed that Toronto’s next election will be run with 25 wards, rather than the originally intended 47. But for two very key players, the long-term impact is still not so clear.WinnersOntario Municipal Affairs Minister Steve Clark, who calmly steered both Bill 5 and Bill 31 through the House. Clark was methodical and unflappable throughout a crisis created by Premier Doug Ford and has worked with city clerk Ulli Watkiss to ensure the Oct. 22 election can happen with 25 wards.Stephen Holyday and other Toronto city councillors who backed the 25-ward option. Those who embraced Ford’s mid-election intervention, including some who went to a Queen’s Park photo-op, were branded traitors and appeasers by some at city hall. But ultimately, they are the ones getting their wish.Liberal MPP Nathalie Des Rosiers, the constitutional expert who has emerged from this crisis with a higher profile than she had as a cabinet minister in premier Kathleen Wynne’s government. Des Rosiers, co-editor of the 1,168-page Oxford Handbook of the Canadian Constitution, was a voice of logic and reason throughout the past weeks.Government House Leader Todd Smith, who had to keep the legislature on the rails amid a chaotic all-night debate Monday. Smith and his hard-working staff never lost their cool during a tumultuous week after Bill 5 was struck down. They were able to schedule a rare Saturday session and even more unusual midnight sitting Monday and weathered the hundreds of protesters chanting outside.Read more:Stay granted on previous Bill 5 decision, paving way for 25-ward electionToronto running out of legal options to challe ...
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