A City Council committee has selected five candidates to fill a vacant seat on the London Police Services Board.
The Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee (SPPC) voted Tuesday night to select names from a list of 54 candidates vying for a seat on the board, which provides direction, civilian input and oversight of police operations.
The following people are now applying for the position:
Michael Anderson: Associate Director, Academic Support and Engagement at Western University, Vice Chair and Ontario Representative for the Inter-University Disabilities Issues Association.
Gita Canaran: A Trauma Therapist and Clinical Psychologist in Parkwood Mental Health’s Treatment and Rehabilitation Program.
Stephen D’Amelio: 2SLGBTQIA activist, advisor and former President of Pride London.
Ryan Gauss: Operations and HR Manager to MP Peter Fragiskatos in North Central London and Chairman of the Board of the Bethanys Hope Foundation.
Joseph Wabegijig: Managing Director of Atlohsa Family Healing Services and member of Wikwemikong Tribal Police Services Board.
Gauss was originally appointed to the board after the resignation of human rights and labor lawyer Susan Toth, who requested that her replacement be Black, Indigenous or a person of color.
Mayor Josh Morgan’s former campaign manager beat out two disparate candidates, including Wabegijig.
Councilors then voted to postpone the appointment and interview candidates instead, amid outrage over appointing a white Liberal staffer over an Indigenous candidate.
The five new candidates will now be interviewed at a special session of the SPPC. The date is not fixed yet.
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