Walker ends 28-year political career

Walker will not seek re-election in St. Paul's. St. Paul's (Ward 22) Councillor Michael Walker, right, announced his retirement March 11, while his executive assistant-turned-candidate for Ward 22 Chris Sellors looks on. Staff photo/DAVID NICKLE

Walker and Sellors made the joint announcement Thursday March 11, 2010 at the Toronto City Hall Press Gallery offices.

Walker, 69, told reporters he had been considering whether to seek re-election for some time, but was finally persuaded by his children.

"I'm announcing today my intention not to stand for reelection in Ward 22," he said.

"I do this with mixed emotions. I've been most fortunate and honored to have represented residents in Toronto for 28 years. Over those years I've been privileged to serve the interests of an astute, discerning electorate. But the time has come now for me to step aside from that role which I will dearly miss."

Walker said he has no intentions to return to politics - and will focus on spending time travelling with his wife.

He admitted it was a tough decision.

"I've been back and forth on this decision because you want to be a bit of the centre of attraction," he said. "People want me to run - but I have to weigh out when it's time to let go and this is the time."

He added that only one thing might have changed his mind and caused him to run again. â?¨"Well - if John Tory had considered running, that would have been a real catalyst for me," he said.

Otherwise, Walker said he could look back on a career with a number of accomplishments, and one in which he played a notable role as opposition - often lone opposition - to both Mayor David Miller and Mayor Mel Lastman.

But he said he had fond recollections of all the mayors he had served with - starting with former Toronto Mayor Art Eggleton.

"I liked them all, frankly," he said. "My role as her majesty's loyal opposition is the second-best script you can have at city hall."

He said of all the mayors, he liked Eggleton best. "Art Eggleton was the most productive mayor we had," he said. "He was collegial and inclusive."

He said that June Rowlands was "a lovely lady, a good, committed north Toronto resident and I think a good mayor."

Barbara Hall was "a missed opportunity that she didn't become the first megacity mayor."

Lastman - who famously called him a walking argument for abortion - was, said Walker, "a good person and he was a good mayor, and his health got in the way of being effective."

And as for Miller?

"David Miller... a lot of issues he stands for I would stand for and I certainly voted with him on a number of occasions."

As for his life after retirement, Walker promised to stay out of his successor's hair.

"When I retire, I'm going to retire," he said. "We have not done any travelling as we raised our children. So my wife and I are going to spend some time to ourself and enjoy getting older together."

But Walker made it clear he's endorsing Sellors to take over for him.

Sellors, 35, had resigned from Walker's office Wednesday to concentrate on the election campaign and announced his intentions Thursday .

The former sales manager and songwriter said he would bring to bear his experience as Walker's executive assistant for the past five years and worked in his office for eight.

"I am asking residents of Ward 22 for the privilege of representing them," said Sellors. "I know the ward. I know its people. Their concerns are my concerns and because of my experience of eight years I'm the only candidate that can hit the ground running."

Among other things, Sellors said he'll push for a subway to be built along Eglinton Avenue, in place of the LRT planned for there now.

Sellors is running against local school trustee Josh Matlow, who declared his candidacy in January.

Matlow wished Walker well, and declined to comment on Sellors' candidacy.

"I very much appreciate the service he's provided to Toronto for many years, and his very committed advocacy for our community," he said of Walker. "So I wish both Michael and his family the very best and appreciate the work he's done."