Jonathan Tsao has been selected to represent the people of Don Valley East until the next municipal elections are held in October.
Toronto City councillors made the appointment Tuesday afternoon, after hearing each of the 18 candidates state their case about why they should get the job for six months.
The vacancy in Ward 33 came up after Shelley Caroll left to run for the provincial Liberals in the riding of Don Valley North.
The decision to appoint a councillor rather than hold a byelection was made because the municipal elections are so close.
It took three ballots for Tsao to get enough votes from councillors to get a majority, facing some stiff competition from fellow candidate Divya Nayak.
Tsao says he's looking forward to the new job, even if it's only for a short period of time.
"I've been politically active for years, so it's an incredible honour to be the voice of my neighbours for the next six months.
"I'm looking forward to doing the work on their behalf," Tsao told media at City Hall.
Tsao currently works for Children's Mental Health Ontario and says he'll return after his council stint.
"I have a full time job, I'm going to take a six month leave and following that I'll return to my full time job".
Tsao's first task as councillor got underway just minutes after he was appointed, for a regular Council meeting.