Mark Grimes

Mark Grimes
Toronto City Councillor for (Ward 6) Etobicoke-Lakeshore
Incumbent
Assumed office December 1, 2003
Preceded by	Irene Jones
Chair of Etobicoke and York Community Council
Incumbent
Assumed office December 1, 2010
Preceded by	Frances Nunziata
Personal details
Born	Orillia, Ontario
Nationality	Canadian
Spouse(s)	Anne
Children	5
Residence	Alderwood, Toronto
Occupation	Stock Trader/Businessman

Mark Grimes is a Toronto City Councillor for Ward 6 Etobicoke-Lakeshore. He represents one of the two Etobicoke—Lakeshore wards.

Background

Grimes was born in Orillia and grew up in New Toronto. Prior to politics he worked as a trader on the Toronto Stock Exchange before starting his own transportation logistics company, MGA International Logistics. He and his wife Anne live in the Alderwood neighbourhood with their five children.^[1]

Politics

In 2003, Grimes ran as a municipal councillor in Ward 6 Etobicoke-Lakeshore to replace Irene Jones who left the seat to run in the provincial election. He was one of nine candidates to run for the seat. During the campaign he and his closest rival Bernard Mascioli, accused each other of dirty tricks during the election campaign. Both camps complained that the other one was removing or vandalizing election signs. On election night phone lines to both campaign offices were cut. Grimes won the election by 1,352 votes.^[2]

In 2005, Grimes was appointed to the Toronto Transit Commission board but he resigned in 2006 due to a conflict with board chair Howard Moscoe. Grimes seconded a motion of non-confidence in Moscoe over his handling of negotiations with the TTC union. When the vote lost, Grimes immediately resigned. He said continuing to serve on the board would be a waste of time. he said, "Obviously my voice isn't going to be heard."^[3][4]

While Grimes was generally opposed to initiatives supported by Mayor David Miller, he became a key player in getting the land transfer tax passed in 2007. Grimes proposed a compromise that would see rebates for first time buyers. He said, "I'm not there for the mayor or to play the left wing against the right wing... Nobody likes new taxes, but I don't want to see libraries and ice rinks and community centres closing."^[5]

After the 2010 election he was named chair of the Etobicoke-York Community Council.^[1]

Election results

2010 Toronto election, Ward 6[6]
Candidate	Votes	%
Mark Grimes	12,228	60.4
Jem Cain	5,847	28.9
Michael Laxer	717	3.5
Wendell Brereton	605	3.0
Cecilia Luu	466	2.3
David Searle	375	1.9
Total	20,238	100%

2006 Toronto election, Ward 6[7]
Candidate	Votes	%
Mark Grimes	6,472	42.6
Jem Cain	3,758	24.7
Matthew Day	2,327	15.3
Gregory Wowchuk	931	6.1
Danuta Markiewicz	531	3.5
Rosalie Chalmers	424	2.8
Walter Melnyk	309	2.0
Tony Del Grande	303	2.0
George Kash	131	0.9

2003 Toronto election, Ward 6
Candidate	Votes	%
Mark Grimes	5,334	32.4
Berardo Mascioli	3,982	24.2
Jerry Smith	3,437	20.9
Diane Cleary	1,180	27.2
Mark Selkirk	1,079	6.6
Gregory Wowchuk	893	5.4
George Kash	208	1.3
Frederick Azman	174	1.1
David Searle	94	0.6
Robin Vinden	83	0.5

References

1. ^ ^{a b} City of Toronto Councillors: Mark Grimes, City of Toronto, last accessed September 25, 2011.
2. ^ Tamara, Shephard (2003-12-03). "Grimes replaces Jones in Ward 6". Etobicoke Guardian. 
3. ^ Cowan, James (2006-07-20). "TTC keeps Moscoe, Grimes resigns". National Post. p. A15. 
4. ^ Nickle, David (2006-07-20). "Moscoe keeps job with TTC, Grimes steps down". Etobicoke Guardian. p. 1. 
5. ^ Byers, Jim (2007-10-18). "Compromise could tip tax vote; Councillor Mark Grimes suggests modifications to unite warring sides as new taxes go to council; mayor's allies grow optimistic proposal can pass". Toronto Star. p. A8. 
6. ^ City of Toronto elections page
7. ^ City Clerk's Official Declaration 2006

External links

• Mark Grimes official website
• City of Toronto Councillor Profile

Persondata
Name	Grimes, Mark
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth
Place of birth	Orillia, Ontario
Date of death
Place of death