Toronto Mayors: A History of the City’s Leaders

Witness to Yesterday (The Champlain Society Podcast on Canadian History)

Greg Marchildon talks to Mark Maloney about his book, Toronto Mayors: A History of the City’s Leaders. The first-ever look at all 65 Toronto mayors — the good, the bad, the colourful, the rogues, and the leaders — who have shaped the city. Toronto’s mayoral history is both rich and colourful. Spanning 19 decades and the growth of Toronto, from its origins as a dusty colonial outpost of just 9,200 residents to a global business centre and metropolis of some three million, this compendium provides fascinating biographical detail on each of the city’s mayors. Toronto’s mayors have been curious, eccentric, or offbeat; others have been rebellious, swaggering, or alcoholic. Some were bigots, bullies, refugees, war heroes, social crusaders, or bon vivants; still others were inspiring, forward looking, or well ahead of their time. Mark Maloney is a government relations professional specializing on the City of Toronto and has worked closely for three of Toronto’s mayors. He has also been a municipal affairs reporter and served as an Ottawa City Councillor and Board of Health chair. He lives in Toronto. Image Credit: Dundurn Press If you like our work, please consider supporting it: bit.ly/support_WTY. Your support contributes to the Champlain Society’s mission of opening new windows to directly explore and experience Canada’s past.