John Parker (Canadian Politician) - Municipal Politics

Municipal Politics

In 2006, Parker was elected as the City Councillor for Toronto's Ward 26. In a field of 15 candidates, Parker prevailed by a margin of 215 votes over runner-up Mohamed Dhanani. Parker received a total of 3,369 votes which amounted to just 20% of the popular vote. Parker has received low grades on environmental issues. In 2008, the Toronto Environmental Alliance issued Parker an "F" grade for what they perceived to be an egregious voting record in 2007-2008. While he is widely considered to be a right-wing councillor, Parker has received poor performance grades from the editorial boards of traditionally conservative newspapers in Ontario. The National Post and Toronto Sun gave Parker "C" grades in "report cards" these outlets issued for Toronto City Councillors in 2007 and 2010 respectively. November 21, the Toronto Sun scored Councillor Parker an "A+".

In 2010, Parker was re-elected in Ward 26. He tallied the most votes in a three way race between previous contender Dhanani and newcomer Jon Burnside. The Toronto Sun supported Parker giving him the recommendation as "a hard-wired East Yorker, who brings a conservative ethic and is not easily panicked." Parker sits on the Board of Directors for the Toronto Centre for the Performing Arts and the Toronto Film Board. He has previously worked with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors. Parker is actively involved with the Toronto Community Housing Corporation, Toronto and Regional Conservation Authority (TRCA), the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), the Employee and Labour Relations Committee, City of Toronto Budget Committee. He was selected to be Deputy Speaker in December 2010.