View source for Gord Perks

{{Short description|Canadian politician (born 1963)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2016}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name                = Gord Perks
| image               = Gord Perks 2014 (cropped).jpg
| imagesize           = 200px
| caption             = Perks in 2014
| office1             = [[Toronto City Councillor]]<br />for [[Ward 4 Parkdale—High Park]]
| term_start1         = December 1, 2018
| term_end1           = 
| predecessor1        = Ward created;<br />(amalgamation with Ward 13)
| successor1          = Incumbent
| office2             = Toronto City Councillor<br />for Ward 14 Parkdale–High Park
| term_start2         = December 1, 2006
| term_end2           = December 1, 2018
| predecessor2        = [[Sylvia Watson]]
| successor2          = Ward amalgamated
| office3             = Chair of Planning & Housing Committee
| term_start3         = December 1, 2010
| term_end3           = 
| predecessor3        = [[Pam McConnell]]
| successor3          = 
| residence           = 
| party               = [[New Democratic Party|New Democratic]]
| otherparty          = 
| birth_date          = {{birth-date and age|October 7, 1963}}
| birth_place         = 
| spouse              = Sarah Winterton
| children            = 3
| occupation          = Politician
| nationality         = [[Canadians|Canadian]]
}}
'''Gordon Perks''' (born October 7, 1963) is a [[Canadian]] politician and environmental activist who has served on [[Toronto City Council]] since 2006, when he was elected to Ward 16 Parkdale—High Park. Since 2018, Perks has represented [[Ward 4 Parkdale—High Park]].

== Career ==
Perks has worked for a number of environmental organizations. He was a writer for Pollution Probe from 1987 to 1989 and a "Pulp and Paper" campaigner at [[Greenpeace|Greenpeace Canada]] from 1989 to 1993. He was [[executive director]] of the Better Transportation Coalition from 1994 to 1996 and was a senior campaigner at the [[Toronto Environmental Alliance]] from 1997 until 2006, with a focus on waste reduction and [[public transit]]. He also works as an adjunct professor at the Environmental Studies department of the [[University of Toronto]].<ref name="CityHallbio" />

Perks was the focus of province-wide attention when he disrupted [[Premier of Ontario|Ontario Premier]] [[David Peterson]]'s press conference launching the [[1990 Ontario general election|1990 provincial election campaign]].<ref name="1990ptape">{{cite news|last=Israelson|first=David|date=August 25, 1990|title=Environment ministry aide blasts Greenpeace criticism of Premier|page=A18|newspaper=[[Toronto Star]]|location=Toronto}}</ref> As Peterson announced the election and began to make a statement as to why his government should be re-elected, Perks appeared with a briefcase chained to his wrist containing a tape recorder playing a recording of environmental promises made by Peterson, in an act of criticism of the [[Ontario Liberal Party|Liberal]] government's environmental record.<ref name="1990ptape" /> Perks also heckled Peterson with a bullhorn.<ref name="1990protest">{{cite news|last=Walker|first=William|date=August 18, 1990|title=Peterson last on Greenpeace list|page=A9|newspaper=Toronto Star|location=Toronto}}</ref> Greenpeace and other groups inspired by Perks' disruption plagued Peterson's campaign appearances.<ref name="1990protest" />

===Writer===
Perks has written and co-authored a number of publications including ''The Green Consumer Guide'' (1989), ''Waste Less Now'' (1987) and ''Oil Drop'' (1989).<ref name="Waste Less Now">{{cite book|last=Perks|first=Gord|title=Waste Less Now: final report|year=1987|publisher=Pollution Probe Foundation|location=Toronto|url=http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/detail.jsp?Entt=RDM2203610&R=2203610}}</ref><ref name="Oil drop">{{cite book|last=Winterton|first=Sarah|title=Oil drop : final report|year=1989|publisher=Pollution Probe Foundation|location=Toronto|url=http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/detail.jsp?Entt=RDM1148063&R=1148063|author2=Clutchey, Carl |author3=Perks, Gord |access-date=November 29, 2011}}</ref> In addition, he has written articles for [[Alternatives]] magazine and he wrote an environmental column for [[Torstar]]-owned ''[[Eye Weekly]]'' newspaper from 2003 to 2011.<ref name="CityHallbio">{{cite web |url=http://www.toronto.ca/councillors/perks1.htm|title=City Councillor Gord Perks|work= City Councillors |publisher= City of Toronto |access-date=August 13, 2010}}</ref>

===Political career===
During the [[2006 Canadian federal election|2006 federal election]], Perks was the [[New Democratic Party]] candidate for the riding of [[Davenport (federal electoral district)|Davenport]]. He placed second, losing to the incumbent member of Parliament [[Mario Silva (politician)|Mario Silva]] of the [[Liberal Party of Canada|Liberal Party]].

Perks later ran for city councillor a few months later during the [[2006 Toronto municipal election]] in Ward 14 Parkdale—High Park. He ran against a slate of 13 other candidates and was endorsed by [[Mayor of Toronto|Mayor]] [[David Miller (Canadian politician)|David Miller]].<ref>{{cite news|last = James|first = Royson|title = The election that was, and what's next: Role for Perks?|page = B8
|date = November 20, 2006|newspaper = Toronto Star|location = Toronto}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title = GTA Votes: Toronto Results
|author = City Bureau|page = B2|date = November 14, 2006|newspaper = Toronto Star|location = Toronto}}</ref> He won the race by a seven percent margin over his nearest rival.<ref name="TorstarResults">{{cite news|title = Toronto Hot Races: Gord Perks Ward 14–Parkdale-High Park
|author = City Bureau|page = B1|date = November 14, 2006|newspaper = Toronto Star|publisher = Toronto}}</ref>

Perks ran again in the [[2010 Toronto municipal election|2010 municipal election]]. He received an endorsement from the ''[[Toronto Star]]'' and was once again re-elected in Ward 14, over nine other candidates.

In his second term, Perks was named chair of the Toronto and East York Community Council.<ref name="Gord Perks to chair Toronto and East York Community Council">{{cite news|last=Nickle|first=David|date=December 8, 2010|title=Gord Perks to chair Toronto and East York Community Council|newspaper=[[Inside Toronto]]|location=Toronto|url=http://www.insidetoronto.com/insidetoronto/article/913919|url-status=dead|access-date=August 24, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120820210521/http://www.insidetoronto.com/insidetoronto/article/913919|archive-date=August 20, 2012|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

In the [[2014 Toronto municipal election|2014 municipal election]], Perks was re-elected for a third term. He once again was endorsed by ''The Star''.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2014-10-20|title=Editorial {{!}} The Star's endorsements for Toronto city council: Editorial|url=https://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/2014/10/20/the_stars_endorsements_for_toronto_city_council_in_wards_22_to_44_editorial.html|access-date=2021-08-09|website=thestar.com|language=en}}</ref>

Electoral boundaries were adjusted for the [[2018 Toronto municipal election|2018 municipal election]], and Perks' Ward 14 was amalgamated with Ward 13, the other Parkdale—High Park electoral district. Incumbent Ward 13 councillor [[Sarah Doucette]] opted not to run in the newly amalgamated riding and instead endorsed Perks, who ran and won in the newly created Ward 4 Parkdale—High Park.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Toronto election: Coun. Sarah Doucette not running under 25-ward model, backs Gord Perks - Toronto {{!}} Globalnews.ca|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/4444991/sarah-doucette-gord-perks-toronto-election/|access-date=2021-08-09|website=Global News|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-10-22|title=Gord Perks cruises to victory in Ward 4, Parkdale-High Park|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/toronto-election/2018/10/22/gord-perks-cruises-to-victory-in-ward-4-parkdale-high-park.html|access-date=2021-08-09|website=thestar.com|language=en}}</ref>

Perks was re-elected for a fifth time in the 2022 municipal election. He received an endorsement from the Toronto Star<ref>{{Cite web |last=Board |first=Star Editorial |date=2022-10-19 |title=Star Editorial Board: The Star’s endorsements for Toronto Council in Wards 1 to 8 |url=https://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/the-star-s-endorsements-for-toronto-council-in-wards-1-to-8/article_f16756b7-64da-59ee-accf-783d2924e378.html |access-date=2024-12-15 |website=Toronto Star |language=en}}</ref> and fended off a challenge from Chemi Lhamo, a local community activity, and Siri Agrell, a journalist and former staffer in Mayor [[John Tory]]'s office.

After the election of Olivia Chow in the 2023 mayoral by-election, Perks was appointed by Chow as Chair of the Planning and Housing Committee, one of four Toronto City Council standing committees.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Agenda Item History |url=https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2023.ST2.1 |access-date=2024-12-15 |website=toronto.ca |language=en}}</ref>

==Electoral record==

;Results of the [[2022 Toronto municipal election]], [[Ward 4 Parkdale—High Park]]
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! style="background:#ddf; width:200px;"| Candidate 
! style="background:#ddf; width:50px;"| Vote
! style="background:#ddf; width:30px;"| %
|-
| '''Gord Perks''' (X) || '''11,149''' || '''35.48'''
|-
| Chemi Lhamo || 9,919 || 31.56
|-
| Siri Agrell || 8,077 || 25.70
|-
| Christopher Jurlik || 827 || 2.63
|-
| Steve Yuen || 827 || 2.63
|-
| Andrew Gorham || 626 || 1.99
|}

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+'''[[2018 Toronto municipal election]], [[Ward 4 Parkdale—High Park]]'''
! scope="col" style="background:#ddf; width:150px;" |Candidate
! scope="col" style="background:#ddf;" |Votes
! scope="col" style="background:#ddf;" |Vote share
|-
| scope="row" |'''Gord Perks'''
| align="right" |16,887
| align="right" |44.55%
|-
| scope="row" |David Ginsberg
| align="right" |8,181
| align="right" |21.58%
|-
| scope="row" |Kalsang Dolma
| align="right" |5,352
| align="right" |14.12%
|-
| scope="row" |Evan Tummillo
| align="right" |2,367
| align="right" |6.24%
|-
| scope="row" |Valerie Grdisa
| align="right" |1,771
| align="right" |4.67%
|-
| scope="row" |Nick Pavlov
| align="right" |874
| align="right" |2.31%
|-
| scope="row" |Taras Kulish
| align="right" |868
| align="right" |2.29%
|-
| scope="row" |Alex Perez
| align="right" |686
| align="right" |1.81%
|-
|José Vera
| align="right" |544
| align="right" |1.44%
|-
| scope="row" |Mercy Okalowe
| align="right" |373
| align="right" |0.98%
|-
! scope="row" |Total
! align="right" |37,903
! align="right" |{{Right|100%}}
|-
| colspan="3" |Source: [[Municipal government of Toronto|City of Toronto]]<ref>{{cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Declaration of Results|url=https://www.toronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/97da-2018clerksofficialdeclarationofresults.pdf|website=|publisher=Toronto City Clerk's Office|access-date=June 15, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Toronto election 2018: Ward 4 Parkdale–High Park - Toronto {{!}} Globalnews.ca|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/4545037/toronto-election-2018-ward-4-parkdale-high-park/|access-date=2021-08-09|website=Global News|language=en-US}}</ref>
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|-
| colspan="3" align="center" |'''[[2014 Toronto municipal election|2014 Toronto election]], Ward 14 Parkdale—High Park'''<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=4113c36902f5d310VgnVCM1000006cd60f89RCRD |title=City of Toronto elections page |access-date=January 16, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028143345/http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=4113c36902f5d310VgnVCM1000006cd60f89RCRD |archive-date=October 28, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
! width="150px" bgcolor="#DDDDFF" | Candidate
! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" | Votes
! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" | %
|-
| '''Gord Perks'''|| 11,630 ||55.03%
|-
| Charmain Emerson|| 6,811 ||32.23%
|-
| Gus Koutoumanos|| 1,107 ||5.24%
|-
| Tim Kirby|| 968 ||4.58%
|-
| Andreas Marouchos|| 363 ||1.72%
|-
| Jimmy Talpa|| 254 ||1.20%
|-
! Total|| 21,133 ||100%
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|-
| colspan="3" align="center" |'''[[2010 Toronto municipal election|2010 Toronto election]], Ward 14 Parkdale—High Park'''<ref>[http://election.toronto.ca/epr/textlist.html City of Toronto elections page] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101026084116/http://election.toronto.ca/epr/textlist.html |date=October 26, 2010 }}</ref>
|-
! width="150px" bgcolor="#DDDDFF" | Candidate
! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" | Votes
! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" | %
|-
|'''Gord Perks''' || align="right" | 8,542 || align="right" | 51.8
|-
|Ryan Hobson || align="right" | 2,798 || align="right" | 17.0
|-
|Michael Erickson || align="right" | 2,434 || align="right" | 14.8
|-
|7 other candidates<ref group="N">Candidates who polled less than 1,000 votes in 2010 election were (in descending order): Bill Vrebosch, Cullen Simpson, Gus Koutoumanos, Barry Hubick, Jules-José Kerlinger, István Tar, Jimmy Talpa</ref> || align="right" | 2,713 || align="right" | 16.5
|-
!Total|| align="right" | 16,487 || align="right" | 100
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|-
| colspan="3" align="center" |'''[[2006 Toronto municipal election|2006 Toronto election]], Ward 14 Parkdale—High Park'''<ref>[http://www.toronto.ca/vote2006/results/officialdeclaration.pdf City Clerk's Official Declaration 2006] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607042449/http://www.toronto.ca/vote2006/results/officialdeclaration.pdf |date=June 7, 2011 }}</ref>
|-
! width="150px" bgcolor="#DDDDFF" | Candidate
! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" | Votes
! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" | %
|-
|'''Gord Perks''' || align="right" |3,816|| align="right" |30.1
|-
|Rowena Santos || align="right" |2,978|| align="right" |23.5
|-
|Ted Lojko || align="right" |1,872|| align="right" |14.8
|-
|John Colautti || align="right" |1,645|| align="right" |13.0
|-
|10 other candidates<ref group="N">Candidates who polled less than 1,000 votes in 2006 election were (in descending order): David White, Tom Freeman, Walter Jarsky, Dilorece South, Anthony Quinn, Beverly Bernardo, David Hanna, Matthew Vezina, Jimmy Talpa, Barry Hubick</ref> || align="right" | 2,350 || align="right" | 18.6
|-
!Total|| align="right" | 12,661 || align="right" | 100
|}
{{2006 Canadian federal election/Davenport}}

==References==
;Notes
{{Reflist|group="N"}}

;Citations
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*[http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/getAdminReport.do?function=prepareMemberVoteReport Councillors' official voting records]
*{{TorontoCouncillor|ID=perks1}}
*{{official website|http://www.gordperks.ca}}

{{Toronto City Councillors}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Perks, Gord}}
[[Category:1963 births]]
[[Category:Canadian environmentalists]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:New Democratic Party candidates for the Canadian House of Commons]]
[[Category:Toronto city councillors]]
[[Category:Candidates in the 2006 Canadian federal election]]
[[Category:Ontario candidates for Member of Parliament]]
[[Category:21st-century Canadian municipal councillors]]