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Longtime Toronto politician Gord Perks will not be running for re-election after serving 20 years as a city councillor. Perks, who represents the Ward 4 of Parkdale-High Park, was first elected as a councillor in 2006. He told CBC News he's stepping away after becoming "increasingly uncomfortable" and suspicious of "people who carry a lot of power." Perks' office confirmed Thursday morning that the councillor will not run in the upcoming municipal election and intends to retire from local politics. "It's a lot to step away from this incredible privilege after 20 years, but it's time," Perks told CBC News. "It's time to just go be Gord Perks." While he's not sure what the future holds, he said he's "absolutely finished with elected office" and with being called councillor. But Perks anticipates he'll likely return to activism and participate in building "a more just and inclusive society" in Toronto and across the country. "I always think of what I've done here as a form of activism and I'll find some other form," he said. "Activism, it's in my blood." Perks arrived at city hall following an 18-year stint as an environmental activist with various organizations, including Greenpeace Canada and the Toronto Environmental Alliance.
That history played a role even in his relationship with his constituents, as he shared a special message for them. "To the people of Ward 4, I would say that our community has been a great laboratory for creative resistance and to keep it up." During his time in council, Perks advocated for affordable housing, childcare, public transit, safer streets for pedestrians and cyclists and more, according to the profile. He currently serves as the chair of the planning and housing committee and the vice-chair of the budget committee. He said some of his most important work has been around reviving social housing and building affordable housing in the city. A lot of that work happened after Mayor Olivia Chow was elected, he said. "Right now, in fact, two-thirds of all construction starts involve the city in one way or another. That's just a remarkable and revolutionary step forward for Toronto," Perks said. But what he'll miss most is sitting in school gyms amongst members of the community, collaborating on creating a better future. Advice from a soon-to-be former councillor to nomineesPerks' departure comes as Toronto prepares for a competitive municipal election on Oct. 26. Nominations for candidates hoping to be on the ballot as mayor, councillor or school board trustee opens Friday morning at 8:30 a.m. and closes Aug. 21 at 2 p.m. To anyone planning to run in the election, Perks advises them to be true to themselves. "I used to say at the start of campaigns, it's better to lose right than to win wrong," he said. "You don't want to get elected on a dishonest version of who you are." 来源链接：https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/gord-perks-city-councillor-not-seeking-reelection-9.7182592 |
