Toronto municipal election, 1972
Encyclopedia
The 1972 Toronto municipal election was held December 4, 1972 to elect the governments of Toronto
, the five other boroughs, and the government of Metro Toronto as well.
The election was overshadowed by the 1972 federal election
held October 30 and the American elections
held November 7, but it resulted in a dramatic change in the city government. Four new mayors were elected, and 17 of 32 Metro seats were held by newcomers. In the City of Toronto, control of city council was won by the reform faction and reform leader David Crombie was elected mayor.
As in the 1969 election
many of the central debates were over proposed megaprojects. The Spadina Expressway
had been halted in 1971, but some wanted it built. The debate over the Scarborough Expressway was also one of the central issues in the east end.
An IBM 370-155 was used by the Star to process the results.
, David Crombie, and Tony O'Donohue
. O'Donohue and Rotenberg were veteran councillors. Rotenberg had been on council ten years and had served as Deputy Mayor. He also won the endorsement of the Toronto Star
. Crombie had been elected to city council only three years earlier, previously serving as a professor at Ryerson Polytechnic Institute
. He was a moderate member of the reform faction on council, willing to compromise with the Old Guard. A fourth notable candidate was Toronto Sun
columnist Paul Rimstead
, who ran a semi-serious campaign based on law and order policies.
Results
, and Thomas Clifford. The reform faction won five new seats, giving them an overall majority on council.
Ward 1 (Swansea
and Bloor West Village
)
Ward 2 (Parkdale
and Brockton)
Ward 3 (Davenport and Corso Italia)
Ward 4 (Trinity-Bellwoods and Little Italy
)
Ward 5 (The Annex
and Yorkville
)
Ward 6 (Financial District, Toronto
- University of Toronto
)
Ward 7 (Regent Park
and Riverdale
)
Ward 8 (Riverdale
)
Ward 9 (The Beaches
)
Ward 10 (Rosedale
and North Toronto
)
Ward 11 (Forest Hill
and North Toronto
)
is elected mayor of the City and serves until 1997. Robert Yuill
was re-elected as ward alderman.
elected and Paul Godfrey
is re-elected to the Board of Control
for the last time. In 1973 Godfrey resigns to become Metro Chairman.
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...
, the five other boroughs, and the government of Metro Toronto as well.
The election was overshadowed by the 1972 federal election
Canadian federal election, 1972
The Canadian federal election of 1972 was held on October 30, 1972 to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 29th Parliament of Canada. It resulted in a slim victory for the governing Liberal Party, which won 109 seats, compared to 107 seats for the opposition Progressive...
held October 30 and the American elections
United States presidential election, 1972
The United States presidential election of 1972 was the 47th quadrennial United States presidential election. It was held on November 7, 1972. The Democratic Party's nomination was eventually won by Senator George McGovern, who ran an anti-war campaign against incumbent Republican President Richard...
held November 7, but it resulted in a dramatic change in the city government. Four new mayors were elected, and 17 of 32 Metro seats were held by newcomers. In the City of Toronto, control of city council was won by the reform faction and reform leader David Crombie was elected mayor.
As in the 1969 election
Toronto municipal election, 1969
Municipal elections were held in Toronto, Canada, on December 1, 1969. Across Metro Toronto there were few surprising results, and city of Toronto incumbent mayor William Dennison was easily re-elected...
many of the central debates were over proposed megaprojects. The Spadina Expressway
Spadina Expressway
The Spadina Expressway was a proposed north-south freeway in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It was only partially built before being cancelled in 1971 due to public opposition. It was proposed in the mid-1960s as part of a network of freeways for Metropolitan Toronto. Its cancellation prompted the...
had been halted in 1971, but some wanted it built. The debate over the Scarborough Expressway was also one of the central issues in the east end.
An IBM 370-155 was used by the Star to process the results.
Mayoral election
Incumbent mayor William Dennison chose not to turn for reelection. The three main candidates vying to replace him were city councillors David RotenbergDavid Rotenberg
David Rotenberg is a former politician in Ontario, Canada. He served in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1977 to 1985 as a member of the Progressive Conservative Party, and was briefly a cabinet minister in the government of Frank Miller.Rotenberg was born in Toronto, and educated at the...
, David Crombie, and Tony O'Donohue
Tony O'Donohue
Anthony "Tony" O'Donohue is a former municipal politician in Toronto, Ontario.-Early life:Born in The Burren, County Clare, Ireland , O'Donohue graduated as a civil engineer from University College, Galway in 1954...
. O'Donohue and Rotenberg were veteran councillors. Rotenberg had been on council ten years and had served as Deputy Mayor. He also won the endorsement of the Toronto Star
Toronto Star
The Toronto Star is Canada's highest-circulation newspaper, based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Its print edition is distributed almost entirely within the province of Ontario...
. Crombie had been elected to city council only three years earlier, previously serving as a professor at Ryerson Polytechnic Institute
Ryerson University
Ryerson University is a public research university located in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Its urban campus is adjacent to Yonge-Dundas Square located at the busiest intersection in Downtown Toronto. The majority of its buildings are in the blocks northeast of the square in Toronto's Garden...
. He was a moderate member of the reform faction on council, willing to compromise with the Old Guard. A fourth notable candidate was Toronto Sun
Toronto Sun
The Toronto Sun is an English-language daily tabloid newspaper published in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is known for its daily Sunshine Girl feature and for what it sees as a populist conservative editorial stance.-History:...
columnist Paul Rimstead
Paul Rimstead
Paul Rimstead was a featured page 5 columnist for the Toronto Sun during the 1970s and 80s.-Life and career:Born in Sudbury, Ontario, the "Rimmer" was described by peers as "legendary", "the Sun's resident character", and "a master storyteller". Rimstead began his journalism career at the age of...
, who ran a semi-serious campaign based on law and order policies.
Results
- David Crombie - 82,754
- Tony O'DonohueTony O'DonohueAnthony "Tony" O'Donohue is a former municipal politician in Toronto, Ontario.-Early life:Born in The Burren, County Clare, Ireland , O'Donohue graduated as a civil engineer from University College, Galway in 1954...
- 58,362 - David RotenbergDavid RotenbergDavid Rotenberg is a former politician in Ontario, Canada. He served in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1977 to 1985 as a member of the Progressive Conservative Party, and was briefly a cabinet minister in the government of Frank Miller.Rotenberg was born in Toronto, and educated at the...
- 35,213 - Paul RimsteadPaul RimsteadPaul Rimstead was a featured page 5 columnist for the Toronto Sun during the 1970s and 80s.-Life and career:Born in Sudbury, Ontario, the "Rimmer" was described by peers as "legendary", "the Sun's resident character", and "a master storyteller". Rimstead began his journalism career at the age of...
- 7,934 - Don AndrewsDon AndrewsDonald Clarke Andrews is a Canadian white supremacist. He is also the leader of the neo-Nazi Nationalist Party of Canada and a perennial candidate for mayor of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.-Early years:...
- 1,960 - Henderson - 1,598
- Clarke - 1,549
City council
The council elected in 1969 was split into two factions. The dominant group, commonly referred to the as the 'Old Guard,' were 12 councillors who generally sided with developers and supported plans for urban renewal and new expressways. The opposition faction was made up of seven members who supported the reform movement. The reformers won a clear victory. Only four Old Guard aldermen were reelected: William Boytchuk, Joseph Piccininni, Fred BeavisFred Beavis
Frederick J. Beavis was a longtime city councillor in Toronto, Ontario, who briefly served as interim mayor of the city in 1978.Beavis operated the Beavis Bros. Roofing Co. with his brothers before becoming a full-time politician....
, and Thomas Clifford. The reform faction won five new seats, giving them an overall majority on council.
Ward 1 (Swansea
Swansea, Toronto
Swansea is a neighbourhood in the City of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, bounded on the west by the Humber River, on the north by Bloor Street, on the east by High Park and on the south by Lake Ontario...
and Bloor West Village
Bloor West Village
Bloor West Village is a shopping district in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Located along Bloor Street, it encompasses all businesses along Bloor Street between Jane Street and Ellis Park Road, consisting of more than 400 shops, restaurants and services. The mix of stores include specialty clothing...
)
- Elizabeth Eayers (reform) - 10,312
- William Boytchuk (incumbent) - 9,229
- Ben Grys (incumbent) - 4,618
- Carl Glutsczak - 3,416
- Slough Bolton - 2,377
- Ed Homonylo - 1,046
- Yvette Tessier - 627
- Andrejs Murniecks - 370
Ward 2 (Parkdale
Parkdale, Toronto
Parkdale is a neighbourhood and former village in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, west of downtown. The neighbourhood is bounded on the west by Roncesvalles Avenue, on the north by Queen Street. It is bounded on the east by Dufferin Street from Queen Street south, and on the south by Lake Ontario...
and Brockton)
- Archie Chisholm (incumbent, reform) - 5,156
- Ed Negridge - 3,222
- Ken Dear - 2,938
- Dave May - 2,316
- Robert Grossi - 1,992
- Anne Fritz - 1,693
- Helen Johnson - 1,319
- Michael Hookway - 1,202
- Stanley Steban - 839
- John Stifel - 602
- Jack Prins - 203
Ward 3 (Davenport and Corso Italia)
- Michael Goldrick (reform) - 4,967
- Joseph Piccininni (incumbent) - 4,439
- Hugh BruceHugh BruceMajor Hugh Bruce, , was a prisoner-of-war in Colditz Castle and later commanding officer of the Special Boat Service.-Early life:...
(incumbent) - 3,800 - Joe Garisto - 2,213
- Tim Burke - 978
Ward 4 (Trinity-Bellwoods and Little Italy
Little Italy
Little Italy is a general name for an ethnic enclave populated primarily by Italians or people of Italian ancestry, usually in an urban neighborhood.-Canada:*Little Italy, Edmonton, in Alberta*Little Italy, Montreal, in Quebec...
)
- Art EggletonArt EggletonArthur "Art" C. Eggleton, PC is a former Canadian Cabinet minister and Mayor of Toronto, and is currently a Senator representing Ontario.-City council:...
(incumbent) - 3,034 - George BenGeorge BenGeorge Ben was an Ontario lawyer and political figure. He represented Bracondale and then Humber in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1965 as a Liberal member until his defeat in the 1971 provincial election...
- 3,023 - Margot Andras (reform) - 2,439
- Frank Lacka - 1,587
- Harold Menzies - 1,593
- John Conforzi - 1,563
- Mary Fraser - 1,054
- Richard Follert - 319
- Robert Fairley - 207
- Darrell Furlotte - 163
Ward 5 (The Annex
The Annex
The Annex is a neighbourhood in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The traditional boundaries of the neighbourhood are north to Dupont Street, south to Bloor Street, west to Bathurst Street and east to Avenue Road...
and Yorkville
Yorkville, Toronto
Yorkville is a district in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, well known for its shopping. It is a former village, annexed by the City of Toronto. It is roughly bounded by Bloor Street to the south, Davenport Road to the north, Yonge Street to the east and Avenue Road to the west, and is considered part of...
)
- Ying HopeYing HopeYing L.K. Hope , P. Eng., was a Chinese Canadian politician, Toronto Public School Board trustee and Metro Toronto Councillor and Toronto Alderman....
(incumbent, reform) - 12,872 - Colin VaughanColin VaughanColin Vaughan was a television journalist, architect, urban activist and alderman serving the Canadian city of Toronto. He was best known as the political specialist for the Toronto television station Citytv from 1977 until his death...
(reform) - 11,585 - Erna Kauffman - 2,685
- David Astle - 1,469
- David Boyd - 933
- Manfred Schulzke - 698
- Melania Gural - 561
- Wilson Greig - 437
Ward 6 (Financial District, Toronto
Financial District, Toronto
The Financial District is a business district in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, within the downtown core. It was originally planned as New Town in 1796 as an extension of the Town of York . It is the main financial district in Toronto, and is the financial heart of Canada...
- University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
)
- William Archer - 7,395
- Dan HeapDan HeapDaniel James Macdonnell "Dan" Heap is a former Canadian politician with the New Democratic Party, a political activist and an Anglican priest. He represented the Toronto, Ontario, Canada riding of Spadina, which, in 1988, was renamed Trinity—Spadina, from 1981 until 1993...
(reform) - 7,153 - June MarksJune MarksJune Marks was a Toronto community activist and politician.She first ran for city council in 1962 in Ward 2 but was defeated. She was elected on her second attempt in 1964 and, in 1966, won city-wide election to the Toronto Board of Control and also served on Metro Toronto Council...
(incumbent) - 6,396 - Horace Brown (incumbent) - 2,928
- Arthur Downes - 2,127
Ward 7 (Regent Park
Regent Park
Regent Park is a neighbourhood located in Old Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Regent Park is Canada's oldest and largest social housing project; built in the late 1940s. Formerly the centre of the Cabbagetown neighbourhood, it is bounded by Gerrard Street East to the north, River Street to the east,...
and Riverdale
Riverdale, Toronto
Riverdale is a large neighbourhood in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is bounded by the Don River Valley to the west, Danforth Avenue and Greektown to the north, Jones Avenue, the CN/GO tracks, and Leslieville to the east, and Lake Shore Boulevard to the south....
)
- Karl JaffaryKarl JaffaryKarl Jaffary , is a former municipal politician in Toronto, Ontario.Karl was born in New Orleans and moved to Toronto with his family in 1940. He went to school in Toronto and attended North Toronto Collegiate Institute and University of Toronto Schools. He went to the University of Toronto and...
(incumbent, reform) - 10,572 - John SewellJohn SewellJohn Sewell, CM is a Canadian political activist and writer on municipal affairs; he was the mayor of Toronto, Ontario from 1978 to 1980.-Background:...
(incumbent, reform) - 9,952 - Richard Kirkup - 4,969
- Samuel Rotenberg - 3,212
- Karl Van Harten - 448
- Charles Rolfe - 422
Ward 8 (Riverdale
Riverdale, Toronto
Riverdale is a large neighbourhood in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is bounded by the Don River Valley to the west, Danforth Avenue and Greektown to the north, Jones Avenue, the CN/GO tracks, and Leslieville to the east, and Lake Shore Boulevard to the south....
)
- Fred BeavisFred BeavisFrederick J. Beavis was a longtime city councillor in Toronto, Ontario, who briefly served as interim mayor of the city in 1978.Beavis operated the Beavis Bros. Roofing Co. with his brothers before becoming a full-time politician....
(incumbent) - 7,253 - Thomas Clifford (incumbent) - 6,794
- Dallard Runge (reform) - 5,724
- Ellie Kirzner - 595
- Christopher Greenland - 542
Ward 9 (The Beaches
The Beaches
The Beaches is a neighbourhood and popular tourist destination located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is located on the east side of the "Old" City of Toronto. The original boundaries of the neighbourhood are from Fallingbrook Avenue on the east to Kingston Road on the north, to Woodbine Avenue...
)
- Reid ScottReid ScottReid Scott is a retired lawyer and provincial judge in Canada, and a former New Democratic Party of Member of Parliament for the Danforth electoral district, in Toronto, from 1962 to 1968, leaving federal politics when his riding disappeared due to redistribution...
(reform, incumbent) - 10,432 - Dorothy ThomasDorothy ThomasDorothy Quincy Thomas is an American human rights activist. She was a 1998 MacArthur Fellow, and a 1995 Fellow of the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study.-Life:She graduated from Georgetown University with an M.A. in 1984....
(reform) - 5,643 - Joe McNulty - 4,479
- Jim Purdie - 4,199
- Wardle - 4,004
- John Oliver - 2,100
- Don Ray - 797
- George Leslie - 318
- John Square - 115
Ward 10 (Rosedale
Rosedale, Toronto
Rosedale is an affluent neighbourhood in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, which was formerly the estate of William Botsford Jarvis, and so named by his wife, granddaughter of William Dummer Powell, for the wild roses that grew there in abundance....
and 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...
)
- William KilbournWilliam KilbournWilliam Morley Kilbourn, CM, FRSC was a Canadian author and historian in Toronto, Ontario. Kilbourn's topics cover history, biography, religion and the arts, with a focus on Toronto; he has penned over a dozen books. He was married to the Rev...
(incumbent, reform) - 20,099 - Paul Pickett (incumbent) - 14,023
- Juanne Hemsol (reform) - 9,578
- Margaret Bryce - 2,641
- Art Keay - 1,449
Ward 11 (Forest Hill
Forest Hill, Toronto
Forest Hill is an affluent neighbourhood in central Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Along with Lawrence Park, Rosedale, and The Bridle Path, it is one of Toronto’s wealthiest neighbourhoods.-History:...
and 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...
)
- Anne JohnstonAnne JohnstonAnne 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...
(reform) - 14,325 - David Smith - 11,297
- Larry GrossmanLarry GrossmanLawrence "Larry" Sheldon Grossman was a politician in Ontario, Canada.-Early years:Born in Toronto, Grossman was the son of Allan Grossman, who had represented a downtown Toronto riding in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario for twenty years after defeating Ontario's last Communist Member of...
- 9,127 - Jim Mills - 8,035
- William McKay - 1,399
- Morris Kestin - 1,334
- Alan Morrison - 1,329
- Richard Sommers - 818
- Sydney Zaidi - 605
- Alan Manington - 551
- John Houseman - 435
- John Ross TaylorJohn Ross TaylorJohn Ross Taylor was a Canadian fascist political activist and party leader prominent in white nationalist circles....
- 323
Mayor and Council
Mel LastmanMel Lastman
Melvin Douglas "Mel" Lastman , nicknamed "Mayor Mel", is a former businessman and politician. He is the founder of the Bad Boy Furniture chain. He served as the mayor of the former city of North York, Ontario, Canada from 1972 until 1997. At the end of 1997, North York, along with five other...
is elected mayor of the City and serves until 1997. Robert Yuill
Robert Yuill
Robert Frederick Murray Yuill was a municipal politician in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He served on the North York city council for twenty-four years, at first as a ward councillor and later as a city controller. He was also a member of the Metro Toronto council.Yuill was born in Toronto, and...
was re-elected as ward alderman.
North York Board of Control
Barbara GreeneBarbara Greene
Barbara Greene is a Canadian politician. She served in the Canadian House of Commons from 1988 to 1993 as a member of the Progressive Conservative Party. She was previously a municipal politician in North York, and campaigned for mayor of the city in 1985...
elected and Paul Godfrey
Paul Godfrey
Paul Victor Godfrey, CM, OOnt is a businessman and former Canadian politician. During his career, Godfrey was a North York alderman, Chairman of Metro Toronto, President of the Toronto Sun and head of the Toronto Blue Jays. He was instrumental in bringing the Toronto Blue Jays to Toronto and has...
is re-elected to the Board of Control
Board of Control
In municipal government a Board of Control is an executive body that usually deals with financial and administrative matters. The idea is that a small body of four or five people is better able to make certain decisions than a large, unwieldy city council...
for the last time. In 1973 Godfrey resigns to become Metro Chairman.