Karen Stintz
Encyclopedia
Karen Stintz is a city councillor in Toronto
, Canada
. She represents Ward 16, one of two municipal wards enclosed within the federal-provincial riding of Eglinton—Lawrence
.
She grew up in North York. After receiving a BA from University of Western Ontario
, she obtained a Master of Science degree in Journalism from Boston University
and worked briefly as a journalist. Returning to school, she received a Master of Public Administration degree from Queen's University
, and obtained a job in the Ontario Ministry of Health.
She lives in the North Toronto
neighbourhood with her husband Daryll Parisien and their two children, son Jackson, and daughter Hailey.
, longtime incumbent Anne Johnston
became unpopular because of her support for a controversial development project to build very tall condominium towers at the intersection of Yonge Street and Eglinton Avenue. The development, now known as the Minto Midtown
project, was appropriate for the location according to Toronto's official plan but was vigorously opposed by a local NIMBY
group.
No challenger was immediately obvious, and the local ratepayer organization advertised for a candidate to oppose Johnston. Stintz had no political experience other than occasionally volunteering for the Progressive Conservative Party
, and she had only lived in the area for three years. With the backing of the ratepayer groups, Stintz defeated Johnston in a close race.
for mayor. On council she has been a leader of the conservative Responsible Government Group
with Case Ootes
. She is a member of the both the provincial
and federal
Conservative parties. She easily retained her seat in the 2006 election
, taking 64.6% of the vote versus 12.5% for her nearest opponent.
In March 2009, Stintz came under scrutiny when it was revealed that she spent $4,500 of her councillor's office budget on voice lessons. She defended her expenditure of taxpayer's money by saying that it improves her speaking during council meetings. Some of her constituents had pointed out that she came across as speaking too fast and sounding "shrill".
In April, 2009, Stintz accused Mayor David Miller
of lying during a debate about payroll costs. Miller said "I know a group of you went up to see the minister and... asked for a $25,000 grant in order to study political parties in the city of Toronto,". Stintz retorted, "I'm actually shocked that you would... so blatantly lie,". Stintz later produced a document addressed to Municipal Affairs Minister
Jim Watson and titled, Next Steps for the Strong Mayor Model in the Toronto Context. She told reporters "I did not ask, we did not ask for a grant. No one asked for a grant to study political parties. We were not offered a grant, we did not ask for a grant." She insisted the proposed study would not include political parties. However the document uses phrases such as political parties, party discipline and party labels. The document specifically asks for $25,000 to be paid to the Conference Board of Canada
to study the options. A spokesman for the minister said the request for a study, which was turned down, was for a "study of city hall governance that would have included a look at political parties."
, particularly after incumbent David Miller announced he would not be running for re-election. However, on October 19, 2009 she announced she would not be a candidate saying “It's a challenge to raise money and it's a challenge to get your name out.... When bigger names with bigger profiles come into the picture, it makes it that much harder for everybody else.” She was re-elected as councillor for Ward 16 on October 25, 2010.
The Ontario Progressive Conservative Party was reportedly interested in recruiting Stintz as the Tory candidate in Eglinton—Lawrence
in the 2011 provincial election
. However, this became moot when Rocco Rossi
won the nomination.
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Canada
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...
. She represents Ward 16, one of two municipal wards enclosed within the federal-provincial riding of Eglinton—Lawrence
Eglinton—Lawrence
Eglinton—Lawrence is a federal electoral district in Ontario, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons since 1979, and in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario since 1999....
.
She grew up in North York. After receiving a BA from University of Western Ontario
University of Western Ontario
The University of Western Ontario is a public research university located in London, Ontario, Canada. The university's main campus covers of land, with the Thames River cutting through the eastern portion of the main campus. Western administers its programs through 12 different faculties and...
, she obtained a Master of Science degree in Journalism from Boston University
Boston University
Boston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. With more than 4,000 faculty members and more than 31,000 students, Boston University is one of the largest private universities in the United States and one of Boston's largest employers...
and worked briefly as a journalist. Returning to school, she received a Master of Public Administration degree from Queen's University
Queen's University
Queen's University, , is a public research university located in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Founded on 16 October 1841, the university pre-dates the founding of Canada by 26 years. Queen's holds more more than of land throughout Ontario as well as Herstmonceux Castle in East Sussex, England...
, and obtained a job in the Ontario Ministry of Health.
She lives in the North Toronto
North Toronto
North Toronto was a town located in the northern part of the Old Toronto district in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It occupies a geographically central location within the current boundaries of the city of Toronto. It is a relatively narrow strip, centred around Yonge Street; it extends from the CP...
neighbourhood with her husband Daryll Parisien and their two children, son Jackson, and daughter Hailey.
Entering politics
In the lead up to the 2003 municipal electionToronto municipal election, 2003
The Toronto municipal election of 2003 was held on November 10, 2003, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, to elect the Mayor of Toronto, 44 city councillors, and school board trustees.David Miller was elected mayor ....
, longtime incumbent Anne Johnston
Anne Johnston
Anne Johnston was a longtime city councillor in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She was first elected to Toronto City Council in 1972, and served until 1985 when she ran against incumbent Mayor Art Eggleton, but was defeated. In 1988 she was elected to Metro Toronto Council...
became unpopular because of her support for a controversial development project to build very tall condominium towers at the intersection of Yonge Street and Eglinton Avenue. The development, now known as the Minto Midtown
Minto Developments Inc.
The Minto Group is a Canadian real estate corporation which develops real estate in Ottawa and Toronto, Ontario, Canada and Florida, USA. Minto is the largest developer in Ottawa and has many towers such as Minto Place Suite Hotel and the Minto Metropole, the second tallest building in Ottawa.On...
project, was appropriate for the location according to Toronto's official plan but was vigorously opposed by a local NIMBY
NIMBY
NIMBY or Nimby is an acronym for the phrase "not in my back yard". The term is used pejoratively to describe opposition by residents to a proposal for a new development close to them. Opposing residents themselves are sometimes called Nimbies...
group.
No challenger was immediately obvious, and the local ratepayer organization advertised for a candidate to oppose Johnston. Stintz had no political experience other than occasionally volunteering for the Progressive Conservative Party
Progressive Conservative Party of Canada
The Progressive Conservative Party of Canada was a Canadian political party with a centre-right stance on economic issues and, after the 1970s, a centrist stance on social issues....
, and she had only lived in the area for three years. With the backing of the ratepayer groups, Stintz defeated Johnston in a close race.
Councillor
Stintz is seen as one of the right-wing members of council, and backed John ToryJohn Tory
John Howard Tory is a Canadian businessman, political activist, former leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario, former Member of Provincial Parliament and broadcaster...
for mayor. On council she has been a leader of the conservative Responsible Government Group
Responsible Government Group
The Responsible Government Group was a caucus of centre-right Toronto City Councillors who formed an unofficial opposition to then Toronto Mayor David Miller and his mostly left-wing supporters on council in the last two years of Miller's final term....
with Case Ootes
Case Ootes
Case Ootes is a former city councillor in Toronto, Canada, for Ward 29 Toronto—Danforth. He represented one of the two Toronto—Danforth wards...
. She is a member of the both the provincial
Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario
The Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario , is a right-of-centre political party in Ontario, Canada. The party was known for many years as "Ontario's natural governing party." It has ruled the province for 80 of the years since Confederation, including an uninterrupted run from 1943 to 1985...
and federal
Conservative Party of Canada
The Conservative Party of Canada , is a political party in Canada which was formed by the merger of the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada in 2003. It is positioned on the right of the Canadian political spectrum...
Conservative parties. She easily retained her seat in the 2006 election
Toronto municipal election, 2006
The 2006 Toronto municipal election took place on 13 November 2006 to elect a mayor and 44 city councillors in Toronto, Ontario. In addition, school trustees were elected to the Toronto District School Board, Toronto Catholic District School Board, Conseil scolaire de district du Centre-Sud-Ouest...
, taking 64.6% of the vote versus 12.5% for her nearest opponent.
In March 2009, Stintz came under scrutiny when it was revealed that she spent $4,500 of her councillor's office budget on voice lessons. She defended her expenditure of taxpayer's money by saying that it improves her speaking during council meetings. Some of her constituents had pointed out that she came across as speaking too fast and sounding "shrill".
In April, 2009, Stintz accused Mayor David Miller
David Miller (Canadian politician)
David Raymond Miller is a Canadian politician. He was the 63rd Mayor of Toronto and the second since the 1998 amalgamation. He was elected to the position in 2003 for a three-year term and re-elected in 2006 for a four-year term...
of lying during a debate about payroll costs. Miller said "I know a group of you went up to see the minister and... asked for a $25,000 grant in order to study political parties in the city of Toronto,". Stintz retorted, "I'm actually shocked that you would... so blatantly lie,". Stintz later produced a document addressed to Municipal Affairs Minister
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (Ontario)
The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing is responsible for municipal affairs and housing in the Canadian province of Ontario.The current Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing in the Ontario cabinet is Kathleen Wynne.-Former Ministers:...
Jim Watson and titled, Next Steps for the Strong Mayor Model in the Toronto Context. She told reporters "I did not ask, we did not ask for a grant. No one asked for a grant to study political parties. We were not offered a grant, we did not ask for a grant." She insisted the proposed study would not include political parties. However the document uses phrases such as political parties, party discipline and party labels. The document specifically asks for $25,000 to be paid to the Conference Board of Canada
Conference Board of Canada
The Conference Board of Canada is a not-for-profit Canadian organization dedicated to researching and analyzing economic trends, as well as organizational performance and public policy issues....
to study the options. A spokesman for the minister said the request for a study, which was turned down, was for a "study of city hall governance that would have included a look at political parties."
Mayoralty
There was some speculation that Stintz would be a candidate in the 2010 mayoral electionToronto municipal election, 2010
The 2010 Toronto municipal election was held on October 25, 2010 to elect a mayor and 44 city councillors in Toronto, Canada. In addition, school trustees were elected to the Toronto District School Board, Toronto Catholic District School Board, Conseil scolaire de district du Centre-Sud-Ouest and...
, particularly after incumbent David Miller announced he would not be running for re-election. However, on October 19, 2009 she announced she would not be a candidate saying “It's a challenge to raise money and it's a challenge to get your name out.... When bigger names with bigger profiles come into the picture, it makes it that much harder for everybody else.” She was re-elected as councillor for Ward 16 on October 25, 2010.
The Ontario Progressive Conservative Party was reportedly interested in recruiting Stintz as the Tory candidate in Eglinton—Lawrence
Eglinton—Lawrence
Eglinton—Lawrence is a federal electoral district in Ontario, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons since 1979, and in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario since 1999....
in the 2011 provincial election
Ontario general election, 2011
The 40th Ontario general election was held on October 6, 2011 to elect members of the 40th Legislative Assembly of Ontario. The Ontario Liberal Party will form a minority government, with the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario serving as the Official Opposition and the Ontario New...
. However, this became moot when Rocco Rossi
Rocco Rossi
Rocco Rossi is a Canadian businessman, executive and former candidate for Toronto municipal and Ontario provincial office. From 2004 to 2009 he was the CEO of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario. In 2009 he became national director of the Liberal Party of Canada...
won the nomination.
TTC Chair
After the 2010 election, Stintz was appointed chair of the Toronto Transit Commission. One of her firsts acts was to implement some cost cutting measures. She announced that 48 bus routes would be cut in order to save $7 million. After public consultation this was reduced to 41 routes for a savings of $4 million. She said, "We have routes that are not being well utilized. We also have pressure on the system whereby we have other routes that either have crowding or service delays. So what we're trying to do is we're trying to match the resources to the need."Election results
| 2010 Toronto election Toronto city council election, 2010 For information on the campaign for mayor see Toronto mayoral election, 2010The 2010 Toronto council election was held on October 25, 2010 to elect councillors to represent Toronto's 44 wards at Toronto City Council... , Ward 16 |
||
| Candidate | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| Karen Stintz | 11,607 | 60.8 |
| Terry Mills | 4,243 | 22.2 |
| Michael Coll | 1,799 | 9.4 |
| Roy Macdonald | 1,453 | 7.6 |
| Total | 19,102 | 100 |
| 2006 Toronto election Toronto municipal election, 2006 The 2006 Toronto municipal election took place on 13 November 2006 to elect a mayor and 44 city councillors in Toronto, Ontario. In addition, school trustees were elected to the Toronto District School Board, Toronto Catholic District School Board, Conseil scolaire de district du Centre-Sud-Ouest... , Ward 16 |
||
| Candidate | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| Karen Stintz | 8,880 | 64.6 |
| Albert Pantaleo | 1,721 | 12.5 |
| Charm Darby | 1,421 | 10.3 |
| Steve Watt | 886 | 6.4 |
| Steven Bosnick | 477 | 3.5 |
| Yigal Rifkind | 364 | 2.6 |
| 2003 Toronto election Toronto municipal election, 2003 The Toronto municipal election of 2003 was held on November 10, 2003, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, to elect the Mayor of Toronto, 44 city councillors, and school board trustees.David Miller was elected mayor .... , Ward 16 |
||
| Candidate | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| Karen Stintz Karen Stintz Karen Stintz is a city councillor in Toronto, Canada. She represents Ward 16, one of two municipal wards enclosed within the federal-provincial riding of Eglinton—Lawrence.... |
8,108 | 42.92 |
| Anne Johnston Anne Johnston Anne Johnston was a longtime city councillor in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She was first elected to Toronto City Council in 1972, and served until 1985 when she ran against incumbent Mayor Art Eggleton, but was defeated. In 1988 she was elected to Metro Toronto Council... |
5,787 | 30.64 |
| Albert Pantaleo | 3,172 | 16.79 |
| Michael Johnson | 1,188 | 6.29 |
| Alexander Hoffman | 634 | 3.36 |
| Total | 18,889 | 100 |