Gus Harris
Encyclopedia
Augustus John Harris (July 1908 – February 20, 2000) was a Canadian
politician
. He was born in Liverpool
, United Kingdom
. He was the mayor of Scarborough, Ontario
from 1978 to 1988.
He was first elected to Scarborough Township council following World War II
, and was elected reeve of the township in 1956. He served on the Board of Control when the township became a borough and then a city.
Although he was a relatively conservative, pro-development mayor, Harris' political roots were in the labour movement
, the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation
and the New Democratic Party
. He was also progressive on social issues calling for gay rights at a 1979 human rights rally.
Harris never accepted financial donations to his political campaigns from any source so that he would not be captive to any interests. Shortly before the nomination deadlines for the 1988 municipal elections in Ontario, Harris announced he would not seek re-election as mayor, and was officially succeeded by Joyce Trimmer
as mayor, in early December 1988.
Although retired from active politics, Harris occasionally spoke on various municipal issues in the late 1980s and early 1990s, such as transit concerns and the proposal for the potential amalgamation of Metropolitan Toronto
. He died at the age of 91 due to complications from Parkinson's Disease. A nature trail that passes through Warden Woods Park on Taylor-Massey Creek
was named in his honour.
, Harris, a Controller at the time, was firmly against the idea of retaining the houses. He said at one point, "These people have launched as vicious a propaganda campaign as I've ever seen. You can see the fine hand of Island public relations in this City proposal. I've had it with their heart-rending stories." It is ironic that Joyce Trimmer, Harris' successor as mayor originally lived on the Toronto Islands.
In July 1988, just prior to his retirement as mayor, he spoke about how Scarborough was maturing as a city. He said, "They won't be calling this place Scarberia much longer."
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
. He was born in Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. He was the mayor of Scarborough, Ontario
Scarborough, Ontario
Scarborough is a dissolved municipality within the city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Geographically, it comprises the eastern part of Toronto. It is bordered on the south by Lake Ontario, on the west by Victoria Park Avenue, on the north by Steeles Avenue East, and on the east by the Rouge River...
from 1978 to 1988.
He was first elected to Scarborough Township council following World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, and was elected reeve of the township in 1956. He served on the Board of Control when the township became a borough and then a city.
Although he was a relatively conservative, pro-development mayor, Harris' political roots were in the labour movement
Trade union
A trade union, trades union or labor union is an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labour contracts with...
, the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation
Co-operative Commonwealth Federation
The Co-operative Commonwealth Federation was a Canadian political party founded in 1932 in Calgary, Alberta, by a number of socialist, farm, co-operative and labour groups, and the League for Social Reconstruction...
and the New Democratic Party
New Democratic Party
The New Democratic Party , commonly referred to as the NDP, is a federal social-democratic political party in Canada. The interim leader of the NDP is Nycole Turmel who was appointed to the position due to the illness of Jack Layton, who died on August 22, 2011. The provincial wings of the NDP in...
. He was also progressive on social issues calling for gay rights at a 1979 human rights rally.
Harris never accepted financial donations to his political campaigns from any source so that he would not be captive to any interests. Shortly before the nomination deadlines for the 1988 municipal elections in Ontario, Harris announced he would not seek re-election as mayor, and was officially succeeded by Joyce Trimmer
Joyce Trimmer
Joyce Trimmer was a Canadian politician. She was the first woman mayor of Scarborough, Ontario.Born in London, England, Trimmer emigrated to Toronto with her husband Douglas in 1954, where they settled on the Toronto Islands.Working as a secretary and then a business and typing teacher at...
as mayor, in early December 1988.
Although retired from active politics, Harris occasionally spoke on various municipal issues in the late 1980s and early 1990s, such as transit concerns and the proposal for the potential amalgamation of Metropolitan Toronto
Metropolitan Toronto
The Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto was a senior level of municipal government in the Toronto, Ontario, Canada area from 1954 to 1998. It was created out of York County and was a precursor to the later concept of a regional municipality, being formed of smaller municipalities but having more...
. He died at the age of 91 due to complications from Parkinson's Disease. A nature trail that passes through Warden Woods Park on Taylor-Massey Creek
Taylor-Massey Creek (Don)
Taylor-Massey Creek is a tributary of the Don River in Toronto, Ontario. It flows through Scarborough and East York, where it enters the Don River. The creek is named after two prominent Toronto families. The Taylors were a wealthy family that owned and operated the Don Valley Brick Works...
was named in his honour.
Memorable quotes
On December 11, 1973 during a debate on the fate of the community on the Toronto IslandsToronto Islands
The Toronto Islands are a chain of small islands in the city of Toronto, Ontario. Comprising the only group of islands in the western part of Lake Ontario, the Toronto Islands are located just offshore from the city centre, and provide shelter for Toronto Harbour...
, Harris, a Controller at the time, was firmly against the idea of retaining the houses. He said at one point, "These people have launched as vicious a propaganda campaign as I've ever seen. You can see the fine hand of Island public relations in this City proposal. I've had it with their heart-rending stories." It is ironic that Joyce Trimmer, Harris' successor as mayor originally lived on the Toronto Islands.
In July 1988, just prior to his retirement as mayor, he spoke about how Scarborough was maturing as a city. He said, "They won't be calling this place Scarberia much longer."