Herb Epp - Political Career

Political Career

He was successful in local politics, serving as an alderman in Waterloo from 1968 to 1974, and two terms as the city's mayor from 1975 to 1977.

Epp ran for the Canadian House of Commons in the 1968 federal election as a Liberal candidate in the riding of Waterloo, finishing second to Max Saltsman of the NDP in a tight, three-way race.

Starting in 1977, he was elected four times to the Ontario legislature, representing the constituency of Waterloo North, and winning each time by a healthy margin. Epp was re-elected in 1981, and again in 1985 when the Liberals formed the government and Epp served as parliamentary assistant to the treasurer from 1985 to 1987. Epp was re-elected in 1987, defeating future Progressive Conservative cabinet minister Elizabeth Witmer, but was not named to the cabinet of David Peterson. He served as chairman of the Liberal caucus from 1985–1987 and retired from the legislature in 1990.

In 1996, he supported Dalton McGuinty's successful bid to lead the Ontario Liberal Party.

Re-entering politics after a 13-year break, Epp was easily elected to a third term as mayor of Waterloo in November 2003, receiving double the number of votes cast for incumbent Lynne Woolstencroft. During his term, he initiated the multi-million dollar development of Waterloo Square in the core of Uptown Waterloo and a multi-million dollar library/YMCA project on University of Waterloo lands on the west side of the city. This 98 year land lease included lands which would favour multiple sports fields to serve primarily the youth of Waterloo. He ran for re-election in November 2006, but was defeated by political newcomer Brenda Halloran.