Municipal elections were held in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on January 1, 1909. Joseph Oliver was easily re-elected to his second term as Mayor of Toronto. One of the central issues of the campaign was whether the city should construct a bridge over the Don River connecting Bloor Street to Danforth Avenue. A referendum was held as part of the vote, and the bridge was approved. It would be built as the Prince Edward Viaduct.
The election was accompanied by a referendum on reducing the number of licensed bars in the city by 40. The measure passed, but in a surprise upset Controller Frank S. Spence, who was the strongest advocate for the measure, was defeated. His place on the Toronto Board of Control was taken by former Alderman George Reginald Geary who had been defeated by Oliver for Mayor the year previously. Alderman James Hales also tried to gain a seat on the board.
Map of Toronto's six wards (1892-1909), published in The Globe, 1 January 1892. Ward 7 would be added on May 29, 1909, due to the annexation of West Toronto.
The new ward map introduced with the creation of Ward 7. (Source: Toronto Daily Star, 18 December 1909)
The City of West Toronto was annexed on May 1, 1909 and became Ward 7. Due to its smaller size it had only two aldermen. A by-election was held on May 29, 1909.
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