John Sewell

Last updated
John Sewell
CM
John Sewell with Eaton Centre model.jpg
58th Mayor of Toronto
In office
December 1, 1978 –November 30, 1980

John Sewell CM (born December 8, 1940) is a Canadian politician and lawyer who served as the 58th mayor of Toronto from 1978 to 1980.

Contents

Background

Born and raised in the Beach neighbourhood, in Toronto, Sewell attended Malvern Collegiate Institute and the University of Toronto, graduating with an English Literature degree in 1961. [1] He earned a law degree from the University of Toronto Law School in 1964 and was called to the bar in 1966. [2]

Early political career

Sewell became active in city politics in 1966 when he joined the residents of the Trefann Court Urban Renewal Area in the fight against the expropriation and levelling of the working-class and poor neighbourhood. [1] Sewell was also involved in opposing the building of the Spadina Expressway in the late 1960s and early 1970s. [3] He was first elected to Toronto City Council in 1969 as alderman for Ward 7, a predominantly working-class area including St. Jamestown, Regent Park, Don Vale, and Cabbagetown. [3] He also initiated the founding of a community-owned newspaper, Seven News, seen as an alternative to Toronto's corporate-owned daily papers.

Sewell became the leader of city council's reform wing, and was elected Mayor of Toronto in 1978. [4]

Mayor of Toronto

Election

In the 1978 election, the right-wing vote was split between two mayoral candidates, David Paul Smith and Tony O'Donohue. [5] Sewell won the election with less than 50 percent of the vote: Sewell won 71,305 votes, to O'Donohue's 62,173 and Smith's 45,071. [4]

Tenure

Sewell was portrayed as a radical in the media, and was dubbed "Mayor Blue Jeans" by the Toronto Sun because denim, which Sewell wore to city council meetings as an alderman, was still considered an identifier of the counterculture. [6] As an environmentalist famous for riding his bicycle to council, he opposed the development of banking and convention centres in the central business district that would become the hallmark of the mayors who followed. Sewell also established himself as a leading critic of the Toronto Police by demanding greater accountability to the public. He was a leading defender of gay rights and endorsed the activist George Hislop's 1980 candidacy for city council while it was rare for public figures to express support for gay rights.

In the 1980 election, after two years of controversy, pro-development Conservatives and Liberals encouraged and united behind the candidacy of Art Eggleton who was presented as the establishment candidate. [7] Although Sewell maintained the support of many Red Tories, reform Liberals, and New Democrats and won more votes and a larger share of the vote than in 1978, he lost the mayor's office to Eggleton.

Later life

Sewell subsequently returned to city council as an alderman in a by-election, to replace Ward 6 alderman Dan Heap who had been elected to parliament, and won re-election in 1982. He retired from municipal politics in 1984 to accept a job as a columnist at The Globe and Mail . [8] He subsequently moved to Now Magazine and then wrote a regular column in Toronto's eye weekly from 1999 to 2005. He has written a number of books and articles on Toronto urban issues.

Sewell served as chair of the Toronto public housing authority from 1986 to 1988 and is an acknowledged urban affairs expert. [1] He has served as chair of the Royal Commission on Planning and Development Reform in Ontario from 1991 to 1993. Sewell was an advisor to the city council of East London, South Africa from 1994 to 1999 and as advisor on the re-establishment of local government in Malawi in 2000. Sewell also taught law, politics, and social science at York University from 1989 to 1991.

In the late 1990s, Sewell founded the group Citizens for Local Democracy to fight the plans of the provincial Mike Harris government to abolish Metropolitan Toronto and amalgamate its constituent parts into a new City of Toronto "megacity."

In the 1999 Ontario provincial election, Sewell ran as an independent candidate in the riding of Toronto Centre—Rosedale, challenging Progressive Conservative cabinet minister Al Leach to protest the megacity. His entry into the race was controversial, with many activists accusing him of splitting the left-wing vote with the New Democratic Party (NDP). Sewell was also criticized for remaining in the race after Leach, whom he had personally targeted as the minister responsible for amalgamation, had withdrawn from the contest. The riding was ultimately won by the Liberal George Smitherman. Sewell finished third, behind the Conservative Durhane Wong-Rieger.

In 2005, Sewell was made a member of the Order of Canada. [1]

On June 26, 2006, Sewell announced that he would seek election in Ward 21 and run against Joe Mihevc in Toronto's 2006 municipal election. Sewell said that he was motivated to run because of the construction of a streetcar right-of-way along St. Clair Avenue, which was supported by Mihevc. He also stated that he was disappointed at the record of Mayor David Miller. Sewell said, "Living in a megacity demands more citizen participation and community consultation, not less." His candidacy received much publicity in the local media, but he was defeated by Mihevc, who received 8096 votes, compared to Sewell's 3326. [9]

Sewell, a former resident of Riverdale, resides in Ward 21 and has his law office on Beverley Street. He is active in the Toronto Police Accountability Coalition. In November 2008, Sewell was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. He received chemotherapy, and as of November 2009, the cancer is in remission. [1]

Election results

2006 Toronto election, Ward 21 [10]
CandidateVotes %
Joe Mihevc 8,09656.7
John Sewell3,32623.3
John Adams2,71319.0
Tony Corpuz1501.1
1999 Ontario general election
PartyCandidateVotes%
Liberal George Smitherman1775638.9
Progressive Conservative Durhane Wong-Rieger1364029.88
Independent John Sewell882219.33
New Democratic Helen Breslauer40198.8
Green Joseph Cohen3920.86
Freedom Paul McKeever 3440.75
Independent Mike Ryner2360.52
Family Coalition Bill Whatcott 2320.51
Natural Law Ron Parker2050.45
1982 Toronto election, Ward 6 (Two elected)
CandidateVotes %
John Sewell13,419
Jack Layton 9,892
Gordon Chong 8,213
Oscar Wong2,479
Bill Beatty1,563
Martin Amber546
1980 Toronto election, Mayoral
CandidateVotes %
Art Eggleton 87,919
John Sewell86,152
Anne McBride3,429
Bob Bush2,479
Fred Dunn1,100
Armand Siksna867
Ronald Rodgers846
Chris Faiers590
Andrejs Murnieks571
1978 Toronto election, Mayoral
CandidateVotes %
John Sewell71,885
Tony O'Donohue 62,173
David Smith 45,071
Joe Martin1,658
Ron Morawski1,546
John Beattle1,239
Louis Thomas826
Richard Sanders778
Zoltan Szoboszloi439
Hardial Dhir379
Walter Lohaza336
Andries Murnieks323

1976 Toronto municipal election - Ward 7 (Regent Park and Riverdale)

John Sewell (incumbent) - 8,786
Janet Howard (incumbent) - 6,460
Gary Stamm - 4,419
Ronald Taylor - 770
Charles Rolfe - 767

1974 Toronto municipal election - Ward 7 (Regent Park and Riverdale)

John Sewell (incumbent) - 6,233
Janet Howard - 4,248
Gary Stamm - 3,813
Andy Marinakis - 603
Peggy Reinhardt - 454
John Bizzell - 289
Stanley Carrier - 388
Kate Alderdice - 329
Steve Necheff - 257
Sandra Fox - 248
Armand Siksna - 212

1972 Toronto municipal election - Ward 7 (Regent Park and Riverdale)

Karl Jaffary (incumbent, reform) - 10,572
John Sewell (incumbent, reform) - 9,952
Richard Kirkup - 4,969
Samuel Rotenberg - 3,212
Karl Van Harten - 448
Charles Rolfe - 422

1969 Toronto municipal election - Ward 7 (Regent Park and Riverdale)

Karl Jaffary (NDP) - 5,433
John Sewell - 5,054
Oscar Sigsworth (incumbent) - 3,093
Michael Doran - 2,554
Sam Rotenburg - 2,515
Douglas Loney (Liberal) - 1,379
Richard Fidler (League for Socialist Action) - 418
Charles Rolfe - 324
Steve Necheff - 270

Works

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toronto City Council</span> Governing body of Toronto

Toronto City Council is the governing body of the municipal government of Toronto, Ontario. Meeting at Toronto City Hall, it comprises 25 city councillors and the mayor of Toronto. The current term began on November 15, 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tony Ruprecht</span> Canadian politician

Tony Ruprecht is a former Canadian politician. His first elected position was as an alderman in the old Toronto City Council, in the late 1970s. He became a member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in 1981, and served in premier David Peterson's cabinet as minister without portfolio from 1985 to 1987. Ruprecht represented Toronto's Parkdale and then Davenport constituencies for the Liberal Party of Ontario for 30 years. On July 5, 2011, he announced that he was leaving politics and would not seek re-election in the October 2011 provincial election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Mihevc</span>

Joe Mihevc is a Canadian politician who was appointed to represent Ward 10 Spadina—Fort York on Toronto City Council on June 1, 2022. He was previously elected to represent Ward 21 St. Paul's from 2000 to 2018, Ward 28 York Eglinton from 1998 to 2000 and was a York City Councillor from 1991 to 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chairman of the Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto</span> Regional chair of Metropolitan Toronto, Ontario, Canada

The Chairman of the Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto or Metro Chairman was the regional chair of Metropolitan Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and the most senior political figure in the municipality. The Metro Chairman was elected by the members of Metropolitan Toronto Council.

Anthony "Tony" Edward O'Donohue was a former municipal politician in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1991 Toronto municipal election</span> Canadian city election

The 1991 Toronto municipal election was held on November 12, 1991 to elect councillors in Metropolitan Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and mayors, councillors and school trustees in Toronto, York, East York, North York, Scarborough and Etobicoke.

The Toronto municipal election of 1978, held on Monday, November 13, 1978, was the first seriously contested mayoralty race in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, since David Crombie took office in the 1972 election. Crombie left municipal politics earlier in 1978 to seek and win a seat in the House of Commons of Canada as the Progressive Conservative Member of Parliament for Rosedale electoral district.

The 1985 Toronto municipal election was held to elect members of municipal councils, school boards, and hydro commissions in the six municipalities that made up Metropolitan Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The election was held on November 12, 1985.

The Toronto municipal election of 1976 was held on December 6, 1976 in Metropolitan Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Mayors, city councillors and school board trustees were elected in the municipalities of Toronto, York, East York, North York, Etobicoke and Scarborough.

The 1982 Toronto municipal election was held on November 8, 1982, in Metropolitan Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Mayors, controllers, city councillors and school board trustees were elected in the municipalities of Toronto, York, East York, North York, Etobicoke and Scarborough.

The 1980 Toronto municipal election was held on November 10, 1980 in Metropolitan Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Mayors, controllers, city councillors and school board trustees were elected in the municipalities of Toronto, York, East York, North York, Etobicoke and Scarborough.

The 1974 Toronto municipal election was held on December 2, 1974 in Metropolitan Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Mayors, controllers, city councillors and school board trustees were elected in the municipalities of Toronto, York, East York, North York, Etobicoke and Scarborough.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1969 Toronto municipal election</span>

Municipal elections were held in Toronto, Ontario, 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. The one dramatic exception to this was on Toronto city council, where a number of long-standing members lost to young new arrivals who shared a common vision of opposition to the megaprojects that had transformed Toronto throughout the post-war period. While the reform movement candidate for mayor lost, it gained a strong presence on city council. The 1970s reform faction dominated Toronto politics for the next decade.

The 1972 Toronto municipal election was held December 4, 1972, to elect the governments of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, the five other boroughs, and the government of Metro Toronto as well.

Municipal elections were held in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on December 5, 1966. The elections were the first in Toronto after its merger with several smaller suburban communities on January 1, 1967. Forest Hill and Swansea were annexed by the City of Toronto, Leaside was merged with the Township of East York to become the Borough of East York. Weston was combined with the Township of York to form the Borough of York. The Village of Long Branch and the towns of Mimico and New Toronto were merged with the Township of Etobicoke to form the Borough of Etobicoke.

Municipal elections were held in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on December 3, 1962. Incumbent mayor Nathan Phillips, then the longest-serving mayor in Toronto history, lost to Controller Donald Summerville by a significant margin.

Municipal elections were held in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on December 1, 1958. Four year incumbent mayor Nathan Phillips won reelection against Controller Ford Brand, who was supported by the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation and Toronto Labour Council, and Controller Joseph Cornish.

Municipal elections were held in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on December 3, 1956. Incumbent mayor Nathan Phillips was easily reelected. Jean Newman became the first woman elected to the Board of Control, and topped the poll to become budget chief.

Municipal elections were held in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on January 1, 1947. With little serious opposition Robert Hood Saunders was re-elected as mayor.

Gordon Cressy is a former Canadian politician, who served on Toronto City Council from 1978 to 1982.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Contenta, Sandro (2009-11-15). "John Sewell proud of a lifetime of ruffling feathers". Toronto Star. Archived from the original on 2012-10-24. Retrieved 2010-05-07.
  2. ↑ Sewell, John, 1940- (1972). Up against city hall. Toronto: J. Lewis & Samuel. ISBN   0888620209. OCLC   787400.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. 1 2 Dineen, Janice; John Spears (1978-11-14). "From hippie alderman to city mayor". The Toronto Star. Toronto. p. A11.
  4. 1 2 City Staff (1978-11-14). "Metro Elections, How You Voted, City of Toronto". The Toronto Star. Toronto. p. A12.
  5. ↑ Christie, Alan (1978-11-14). "2-time loser O'Donohue blames split vote". The Toronto Star. Toronto. p. A3.
  6. ↑ "Fear the conservative vote split, Toronto". Toronto Sun. 2013-10-28. Retrieved 2019-10-16.
  7. ↑ "From Toronto city hall to Parliament Hill, Art Eggleton ends a political career that was always rooted in urban issues". thestar.com. 2018-10-03. Retrieved 2022-12-17.
  8. ↑ "John Sewell: banned and proud of it" . Retrieved 2019-10-16.
  9. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-10-09. Retrieved 2012-04-06.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  10. ↑ City Clerk's Official Declaration 2006 Archived 2011-06-07 at the Wayback Machine


This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.