Wednesday, July 9, 2025
HomePoliticsToronto Votes 2014John's out, Jon's in, in Ward 26

John’s out, Jon’s in, in Ward 26

Published on

It was called one of the races to watch in tonight’s Toronto election: the Ward 26 rematch between an incumbent councillor and the challenger who almost unseated him last time.

And when it was over, Jon Burnside says he was “honoured and humbled” to have been elected the new councillor for Don Valley West.

Burnside, who was endorsed earlier in the campaign by mayor-elect John Tory, beat out incumbent John Parker by more than 3,000 votes. He ended up garnering over 42 per cent of the ballots cast, with a total of 9,415 to Parker’s 6,167.

Four other candidates for councillor split the remaining votes.

Burnside has been active in the community since 1991, when he joined the Toronto police to work in Divisions 53 and 54. He served the Bennington Heights, Leaside, Thorncliffe Park, and Flemingdon Park areas for over 10 years and describes law enforcement as a “rewarding profession.”

In his endorsement, Tory referred to Burnside as “a champion for the neighbourhoods of Ward 26. For more than two decades, he has demonstrated an ability to work with others and deliver meaningful results.”

Parker had served as Ward 26 councillor since his election in December 2006. Burnside finished a close second to him in the 2010 race for Ward 26 councillor, coming within 415 votes of victory.

Burnside took to Twitter earlier this evening to announce his reaction to the results and post a photo of himself and supporters in the Thorncliffe Park area.

“I am honoured and humbled that the people of Ward 26 have trusted me to be their voice at city hall,” he tweeted.

Learn about Centennial College's School of Communications, Media, Arts and Design

Latest articles

Ti-Cats rout Argos as QB Mitchell shines on historic night

Hamilton Tiger-Cats roared to a 51-38 win over the host Toronto Argonauts on Friday...

Ti-Cats hand Argos fourth loss in five games

Bo Levi Mitchell threw for five touchdowns and passed a big career milestone as...

What does it mean to be trans and Canadian?

Canada is widely regarded as one of the safest places in the world to be transgender, but trans people say they still remain vigilant.

Young Canadians have a different view now of driving, instructor says

For generations, getting a driver’s license was seen as a rite of passage, a symbol of independence and adulthood.

More like this

Kennedy back as Catholic school trustee

"Elected!" Kennedy and volunteer Michelle Andreoli declared in unison as the final results were announced.

Davis walks away with Ward 31

Davis ended up with 12,697 votes — 9,674 more than closest contender George Papadakis, who had 3,023 votes, or 14 per cent of the total.

Defeated Dandy says she won’t run again

During her time as trustee, Dandy has helped create the late-start high school program to accommodate teenage "biorhythms," as well as three new French immersion sites. She's also fought school closings and arranged Red Cross babysitting courses for young people in Toronto-Danforth.