Action Canada publishes accessible, non-partisan research on civic institutions — so Canadians can engage with their governments as informed citizens.
Toronto's 26-member City Council — one Mayor and 25 ward councillors — makes decisions that shape housing, transit, parks, and services for nearly three million people. Yet the backgrounds of these elected officials are rarely compiled in one place.
This research brings together publicly available information on every councillor's education and career history before they entered elected office. It draws on Wikipedia, City of Toronto official bios, councillor websites, and public records compiled as of May 2026.
Where credentials were not publicly documented, a note is included. The absence of a credential is not a judgment — it reflects only what is publicly verifiable.
Current 2022–2026 term · 26 members (Mayor + 25 Councillors) · Compiled May 2026 · Sources: Wikipedia, city bios, official websites
| Ward | Name | Prior Work Experience (before City Council) | Education |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | |||
| — |
Olivia Chow
Mayor
|
Sculptor; ESL teacher; college instructor at George Brown College; counsellor for new immigrants; TDSB school board trustee (1985–1991); Metro Toronto & Toronto City Councillor (1991–2005); MP for Trinity–Spadina, NDP (2006–2014); Distinguished Visiting Professor at Toronto Metropolitan University; founder of Institute for Change Leaders (2016) |
High School Jarvis Collegiate Institute, TorontoPost-Secondary Studied Religion & Philosophy, University of Toronto; studied fine art at OCAD UniversityUniversity Honours BA in Fine Art, University of Guelph (1979)Executive / Continuing Ed Two certificates, Harvard Kennedy School Executive Education Programs |
| Etobicoke & York Community Council (Wards 1–5) | |||
| Ward 1 |
Vincent Crisanti |
Primarily a career politician; served as Etobicoke City Councillor (pre-amalgamation, 1995) before repeated runs and re-election to Toronto City Council (2010–2018; 2022–present). Limited public record of private-sector employment prior to elected office. | Specific educational credentials not publicly documented. |
| Ward 2 |
Stephen Holyday
Deputy Speaker
|
Manager at Ontario Ministry of Energy (1999–2014); elected to Toronto City Council 2014. |
University Bachelor of Technology in Architectural Science, Toronto Metropolitan University (Ryerson) |
| Ward 3 |
Amber Morley
Deputy Mayor
|
Health promoter at LAMP Community Health Centre; administrative assistant to former Councillor Peter Milczyn. Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal recipient (2017) for community work. |
College Humber College (program not publicly specified) |
| Ward 4 |
Gord Perks |
Writer at Pollution Probe (1987–1989); "Pulp and Paper" campaigner at Greenpeace Canada (1989–1993); Executive Director of Better Transportation Coalition (1994–1996); Senior Campaigner, Toronto Environmental Alliance (1997–2006, waste reduction & transit); adjunct professor, U of T Environmental Studies; author of Canadian Green Consumer Guide; column writer for Eye Weekly | Specific degree credentials not prominently documented in public sources. |
| Ward 5 |
Frances Nunziata
Speaker
|
Accounting clerk; community activist through Harwood Ratepayers Association; TDSB school board trustee for City of York (1985–1988); York City Councillor (1988–1994); Mayor of the City of York (1994–1997); Toronto City Councillor since amalgamation (1998–present). | No formal post-secondary credentials publicly documented. |
| North York Community Council (Wards 6–8, 16–18) | |||
| Ward 6 |
James Pasternak |
TDSB school board trustee (before 2010); entered Toronto City Council in 2010. Academic / policy career inferred from multi-university education background. |
University (BA) York UniversityUniversity (additional degree) University of Western OntarioGraduate London School of Economics and Political Science |
| Ward 7 |
Anthony Perruzza |
Carpenter (teens); North York City Councillor (1988–1990); Ontario NDP MPP for Downsview (1990–1995); small business (listed as "businessman" in early 1984 campaign materials); returned to Toronto municipal politics 1997, elected to City Council 2006. |
University BA in History and Political Science, York University |
| Ward 8 |
Mike Colle
Deputy Mayor
|
High school teacher of history & economics for 18 years (including at Michael Power High School and St. Michael's College School); City of York Councillor (1982–1985); Metro Toronto Councillor, York Eglinton (1988–1994); TTC Chair (1991–1994); Ontario Liberal MPP for Oakwood / Eglinton–Lawrence (1995–2018); elected Toronto City Council 2018. |
University Carleton University (degree not specified)High School (attended) St. Michael's College School, Toronto |
| Ward 16 |
Jon Burnside |
Toronto Police Service officer (1991–2001); entrepreneur — founded and operated healthy food delivery company in the GTA (2001–2014); Toronto City Councillor, Ward 26 (2014–2018); re-elected Ward 16 (2022). |
University Bachelor's degree (field not specified), University of Western Ontario |
| Ward 17 |
Shelley Carroll |
7 years in banking / financial services; ran own daycare centre while caring for a special-needs child; head of North York Parent Assembly and Toronto Educational Assembly (parent advocate); TDSB school board trustee (2000–2003); Toronto City Councillor since 2003. | Formal degree credentials not publicly documented; financial services background noted. |
| Ward 18 |
Lily Cheng |
Founded North York Moms (online community forum); organized community safety march after 2018 Toronto van attack; Executive Director, NeighbourLink North York food bank; community organizer and co-founder of We Love Willowdale; ministry/pastoral roles (community outreach); elected to council 2022. |
University Systems Design Engineering, University of Waterloo (referenced on LinkedIn profile) |
| Toronto & East York Community Council (Wards 9–14, 19) | |||
| Ward 9 |
Alejandra Bravo |
Manager of Leadership & Learning, Maytree Foundation; Director of Leadership & Training, Broadbent Institute; Founding Director, Power Lab (with Atkinson Foundation); 25 years leadership in civil society organizations; NDP federal candidate in Davenport (2021, lost by 76 votes). First elected to council 2022. |
University (BA) Latin American Studies, University of TorontoGraduate (MA) Adult Education and Community Development, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) |
| Ward 10 |
Ausma Malik
Statutory Deputy Mayor
|
TDSB school board trustee (2014–2018; first hijab-wearing Muslim elected to public office in Canada); Director of Social Engagement, Atkinson Foundation; student association leader at U of T; elected to council 2022. |
University (BA Honours) International Studies (double minor: History & Political Science), St. Michael's College, University of Toronto (2013) |
| Ward 11 |
Dianne Saxe |
Environmental lawyer for 40+ years; operated boutique environmental law firm SaxeFacts; one of the world's top 25 environmental lawyers; independent Environmental Commissioner of Ontario (2015–2019, reporting to the legislature); hosted podcast Green Economy Heroes; Deputy Leader, Green Party of Ontario (2020–2022). Elected to council 2022. |
Law School (LLB) Osgoode Hall Law School (1974); called to the Bar of Ontario (1976)Graduate (PhD) PhD in Law, Osgoode Hall Law School (1991)Honorary PhD in Environmental Studies (honorary) |
| Ward 12 |
Josh Matlow |
Actor (festivals, comedy improv, TV commercials); co-director of Earthroots (Ontario environmental NGO); organizer at Canadian Peace Alliance; host of radio shows on CIUT and CFRB; weekly columnist, Toronto Star; TDSB school board trustee (2003–2010); elected to City Council 2010. |
University Political Science, Concordia UniversityTraining / Continuing Ed L'École Internationale de Théâtre Jacques Lecoq, Paris |
| Ward 13 |
Chris Moise |
Police officer in Waterloo, Ontario; addictions counsellor at St. Michael's Hospital; NDP provincial candidate (Oak Ridges 1999; Brampton West–Mississauga 2003) and federal NDP candidate (Brampton West 2004); TDSB school board trustee (2016–2022, including Vice-Chair). Elected to council 2022. |
University Western University (London, ON) — field of study not publicly specified |
| Ward 14 |
Paula Fletcher
Deputy Speaker
|
Educator in third-world development (Winnipeg); union organizer in a Toronto garment mill (early 1970s); worked at Downsview DeHavilland plant (women's committee of CAW Local 112); leader of Communist Party of Canada (Manitoba) (1981–1986); executive assistant to City Councillor Dan Leckie (1990s); leader in East End Parent Network; TDSB school board trustee (2000–2003). Elected to council 2003. | No formal post-secondary credentials publicly documented. |
| Ward 15 |
Rachel Chernos Lin |
TDSB school board trustee (6 years, including 2 years as Chair of the TDSB). Led French immersion expansion, secured $169M for schoolyard renewals, $1.8M for youth violence prevention. Elected to council Nov. 2024 (by-election). |
University (BA Honours) University of TorontoGraduate (MA) History, Brown University |
| Ward 19 |
Brad Bradford |
Urban planner in the private sector. ICD.D designation (Institute of Corporate Directors). Elected to Toronto City Council 2018. |
University (BES) Bachelor of Environmental Studies (Urban & Regional Environments), York UniversityGraduate (MA) Urban Planning, University of Toronto |
| Scarborough Community Council (Wards 20–25) | |||
| Ward 20 |
Parthi Kandavel |
Elementary school teacher (Grade 6) at Sathya Sai School of Toronto for ~12 years; TDSB school board trustee for two terms (2014–2022). Elected to council Nov. 2023 (by-election). | Specific degree credentials not publicly documented. |
| Ward 21 |
Michael Thompson |
Financial services industry; founded a business services company; assistant to Councillor Lorenzo Berardinetti (1998–2003). Elected to council 2003. |
High School Ionview Public School; Sir John A. Macdonald Collegiate, ScarboroughUniversity (BA) Economics, Concordia University, Montreal |
| Ward 22 |
Nick Mantas |
Federal constituency assistant; Policy Advisor to the Senate of Canada; Chief of Staff to Councillor Jim Karygiannis. Won 2021 by-election to replace Karygiannis; re-elected 2022. |
University (BA) Economics, York University |
| Ward 23 |
Jamaal Myers |
Corporate lawyer at two global law firms in New York City; Senior Legal Counsel / Senior Lawyer at TD Bank (focus: Environmental, Social & Governance); community organizer (Scarborough Transit Action; TAIBU Community Health Centre Vice-Chair). Elected to council 2022. |
University (BA) Political Science, University of Western Ontario (2006)Graduate (MA) Comparative Politics & Research Methodology, London School of Economics (2007)Law School (JD) New York University School of Law (2013) |
| Ward 24 |
Paul Ainslie
Deputy Mayor
|
Career in public service at federal, provincial, and municipal levels spanning 30+ years. Appointed to City Council (Ward 41) in 2006; elected that year in Ward 43 Scarborough East; serving continuously since then. Community engagement and public administration background. | Specific academic credentials not prominently documented in public sources. |
| Ward 25 |
Neethan Shan |
Youth outreach worker in Malvern; Executive Director, Canadian Tamil Youth Development Centre — CanTYD (2001–); math & science teacher; college professor; Executive Director, Council of Agencies Serving South Asians — CASSA (10 years, health equity advocacy); Executive Director, Urban Alliance on Race Relations (UARR); TDSB trustee for Scarborough and Chair of TDSB; York Region District School Board trustee (2006–2010). Elected to council Sept. 2025 (by-election). |
University (BSc Honours) Science, University of Toronto (2001)University (BEd) Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), U of T (2003)Graduate (MEd) Sociology & Equity Studies in Education, OISE, U of T (2012) |