I’ve watched politicians disagree with each other rather badly over the last four decades, and it’s easy to forget that so much of that rude behavior is just theatre.
I got the perfect reminder recently, when more than 40 former Toronto city councillors got together for a lunch in East York, organized by community activist Justin Van Dette. Van Dette has been a political staffer and organizer, and thought a reunion might raise a few thousand bucks for the Second Harvest food bank. So, off he went to put something together. (Coincidentally, Second Harvest is now run by former Toronto city councillor Mike Layton.)
It's always fascinating to watch former adversaries come together years after the battles have been waged. The arguments seem less relevant now, as do the ideological differences; what remains is the satisfaction of being in the arena together and trying to get stuff done.
Peter Leon was a salesman in Etobicoke who was appointed by council in 2013 to complete the final 14 months of Doug Holyday’s term (Holyday resigned to run provincially). Now in his 80s, Leon has nothing but fond memories of his time in politics. “Every day I was there, I lived my dream,” he says.
Peter Leon (left) said being a Toronto city councillor was a dream come true. He's seen here with former councillor John Filion. (Steve Paikin)
Leon was appointed on the condition he not seek re-election. He contributed to his community, then moved on. “I gave my word that I would only do it until the next election, and I kept my word to Council,” he says. “It was the best decision I ever made.”
Leon’s fellow Etobian Gloria Lindsay Luby served from 1998 to 2014: 11 wins in 11 tries. She loved the feeling of helping to build the city. “I'm very interested in politics and how things work,” she says. “I'm very practical.”
Sandra Bussin and Brad Duguid were members of different political parties. But they enjoyed reminiscing about their contributions to Toronto. (Steve Paikin)
Case Ootes spent 12 years at city hall, including a five-year stint as deputy mayor from 1998 to 2003. “I liked that you were an independent actor, unlike provincial and federal governments, where you are at the whim of the prime minister or the premier,” says Ootes, now in his mid-80s. “You could make a real difference by coming up with motions that would help your constituents.”
Brad Duguid was a cabinet minister at Queen’s Park and an executive assistant to two members of parliament. And yet, for him, there’s something about city hall that’s different and more meaningful. “I think the best thing about serving on council is that you have a direct opportunity to make a difference in the lives of your constituents,” he says. “And I've worked at all levels of government. That's the only level where you can have a direct impact on the lives of the people that you serve. That sounds Pollyanna, but I haven't met a colleague or former colleague in politics that doesn't have that in mind.”
Kyle Rae and Mary Fragedakos both represented downtown Toronto constituencies. (Steve Paikin)
Sandra Bussin worked for an NDP MPP at Queen’s Park and considers herself a shy person. Getting into politics allowed her to come out of her shell. “My favourite thing was helping people,” she says. “The amazing things we could do for community, for individuals. It was a real highlight.”
Even the losses seem to have faded. In 2006, Jane Toller (then Pitfield) was defeated by David Miller for the mayor’s job. “It was one of the greatest experiences in my life,” she insists.
Even though you didn't win?
John Tory is a lifelong Progressive Conservative, Joe Cressy a lifelong New Democrat. But they worked well together during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It's not always about winning,” she says. “I was running because I had something I needed to say, and I also think people needed a choice. And I was very proud of the fact that really with not much of a campaign, I ran from January to November, I received 32 per cent of the vote. Not bad.”
She moved to Quebec in 2014 and, having just turned 70, finds herself back in politics as the warden of the Pontiac region. “I'm just very interested in revitalization, and I love living in rural Canada.”
Mike Layton and James Maloney catch up. (Steve Paikin)
Toller has put her money where her mouth is. She now owns an inn with 40 rooms, a restaurant, a conference centre, and a movie theatre.
Nobody gets through life as a politician scot-free, and I wanted the attendees to also share their worst moments in public life. Bussin felt her private life disappeared when she was elevated to the Speaker’s role.
Gloria Lindsay Luby went 11 for 11 at election time. Jane Toller (then Pitfield) was unsuccessful in her bid for Toronto mayor but returned to politics in Quebec. (Steve Paikin)
“You were always being judged, being a woman,” she says. “What I was wearing, who I was with. It was a double standard.”
Lindsay Luby still remembers when a political opponent stole the concrete dog at the end of her home’s driveway.
How does she know that?
Case Ootes was Toronto's deputy mayor; Ana Bailao ran for mayor against Olivia Chow. (Steve Paikin)
“They left a note saying, ‘We have your dog,’” she says. Lindsay Luby then got a picture of the dog with its head cut off. “It was sick!”
She prefers not to say who was responsible for the gross act, but she defeated him — after which the shenanigans stopped.
Duguid says his worst memories are of council debates in which everyone knew the right course of action but, “for political reasons, folks couldn't get themselves to do it.”
“And that would often be on votes that require some courage. There's not a lot of incentive for a councillor to take a brave position on a budget or something like that because you're on your own. You don't have a political party to back you up.”
Seeing all these councillors enjoying one another’s company is a good reminder that so much of what we read, see, and hear about politics today is performative. We remember the public spats and insults, but forget that a lot of what happens in public life can actually be collaborative. It just happens off-camera.
Former mayor John Tory and former councillor Joe Cressy came from ideologically different backgrounds, but discovered they worked extremely well together during the COVID-19 pandemic. They’re still friends and used the occasion to catch up.
Former councillors Mary Fragedakis and Jim Karygiannis ended up at the same table and spoke Greek to one another much of the time.
Judy Sgro, now 80 years old, has been a member of parliament for more than a quarter of a century. But it all started for her in municipal politics in 1987, and she showed up to renew old acquaintances. Back in the day, she no doubt tangled with NDP gadfly and fellow North York city councillor Howard Moscoe. Moscoe was a burr under everyone’s saddle back then, but you’d never know it from the warm greetings exchanged here.
When I asked former deputy mayor Ootes about the worst thing he experienced at city hall, he was stumped. “I can't think of a thing,” he says. “It was just a wonderful career for me personally. I hope my constituents felt the same way.”
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