Gary Crawford (politician)

Gary Crawford
Crawford in 2010
Toronto City Councillor for (Ward 20) Scarborough Southwest
Ward 36 (2010-2018)
In office
December 1, 2010 – July 26, 2023
Preceded byBrian Ashton
Succeeded byParthi Kandavel
Toronto Public School Trustee for (Ward 18) Scarborough Southwest
In office
December 1, 2003 – December 1, 2010
Preceded byElizabeth Moyer
Succeeded byElizabeth Moyer
Personal details
Born (1960-07-15) July 15, 1960 (age 64)
Halifax, Nova Scotia
NationalityCanadian
Political partyIndependent
Other political
affiliations
Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario
Residence(s)Toronto, Ontario, Canada
OccupationPolitician (previously: Grocery manager)

Gary Crawford (born July 15, 1960) is a Canadian politician, who was elected to Toronto City Council in the 2010 city council election to succeed Brian Ashton in Ward 36.[1] He held onto the seat in the 2014 municipal elections. As councillor, Crawford sat as the Budget Chief (2014-2023). He served on numerous committees including Budget, Planning and Growth, Economic Development and the Executive Committee. He also served on City Boards and Agencies including East Metro Youth Centre, Sony Centre for the Performing Arts (as Interim Chair), Harbourfront Centre, St. Lawrence Centre for the Performing Arts, the Toronto Centre for the Arts and the Toronto Arts Council. He has chaired the Mayor’s Task Force on the Arts, the Theatres Working Group and Co-chaired the Film Board.

Previous to his role on Council, Crawford served a seven-year term as a TDSB Trustee. His experience included appointment as Co-chair of the Board, Chair of Facilities Management and Chair of Negotiations. Crawford advocates for arts and culture and was involved in funding increases for the arts. Before becoming a Councillor he was a professional artist and a part-time musician.[2]

Crawford previously ran in the 2007 Ontario Provincial Election for the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario (PCPO) from the riding of Scarborough Southwest, but lost to Lorenzo Berardinetti.

Crawford lost to Liberal Andrea Hazell running for the PCPO in the provincial by-election called for Scarborough—Guildwood on July 27, 2023. The day before the by-election, Crawford resigned his city council seat.[3][4]

  1. ^ "Changed council faces new mayor". Toronto Star, October 25, 2010.
  2. ^ "About Councillor Crawford —". Archived from the original on 2018-10-24. Retrieved 2017-12-15.
  3. ^ https://www.toronto.com/news/progressive-conservative-candidate-crawford-to-resign-toronto-council-seat-night-before-scarborough-guildwood-byelection/article_4d73c25e-d8fe-5e95-940e-4bd578a9c868.html? [bare URL]
  4. ^ https://www.cp24.com/news/liberals-hold-toronto-riding-pick-up-new-seat-in-ottawa-area-in-ontario-provincial-byelections-1.6496056 [bare URL]