Rob Davis (politician) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Rob Davis
Toronto City Councillor for Ward 28 – York Eglinton
In office 1997–2000
Preceded by	Office created
Succeeded by	Joe Mihevc
Vice Chair of the Toronto Transit Commission
In office 1997–2000
Mayor	Mel Lastman
York City Councillor
In office 1991–1997
Preceded by	Office abolished
Personal details
Born	1964 Toronto, Ontario
Nationality	Canadian
Political party	Progressive Conservative Party
Alma mater	York University
Occupation	Politician

Rob Davis is a Canadian politician. He served on the City of York council from 1991 to 1997. He was the first Black city councillor in York's 200-year history. He was then elected to the new Toronto City Council from 1997 to 2000. He was also the first Black city councillor on the new Toronto City Council.

In 2023, Davis ran for mayor of Toronto. This election happened because Mayor John Tory resigned. Davis told the media that people in Toronto felt unsafe on the TTC. He also said they were struggling with high housing costs. He believed the council was spending money on things like changing the name Dundas. He thought they should focus on helping people who are homeless or less fortunate. Davis promised to make Toronto safer, cleaner, and kinder.

Rob Davis: Early Life and Community Work

Rob Davis was born and grew up in Toronto, Ontario. He was the Student Council President at St. Michael's College School in Toronto in 1982-1983. He finished high school there in 1983. Later, he went to York University to study Political Science. In 1985, Davis helped lead the City of York International Youth Year Committee.

Protecting Fairbank Park

Davis was part of the Friends of Fairbank Park group from 1990 to 1992. This group worked to stop a developer from buying Fairbank Park Pool. The developer wanted to build condos there. This group spoke to the government and filed a complaint with the police. This led to a situation known as the Fairbank Park Scandal. Some city officials faced charges related to their actions on October 31, 1991. These officials were later found guilty.

Becoming a City Councillor

At 27, Rob Davis became one of Ontario's youngest elected officials. He was elected to the City of York Council (Ward 3) in November 1991. While on the council, Davis started the Caribana Children's Parade in Little Jamaica in 1994. This parade brought many people to the area for ten years. It allowed children to share their culture. He also helped police and Black youth connect with the community. In 1993, he successfully pushed for the first tax freeze. He was re-elected in 1994 for Ward 3. In 1997, he was the budget chief for the City of York. That year, the city had no tax increase.

Election to York City Council

Rob Davis with Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

In the 1991 Toronto municipal election, Rob Davis was one of six new councillors elected in York. Many previous councillors were voted out because of issues like the Fairbank Park Scandal. Davis was the first Black Canadian elected to the York council in its 200-year history.

He was re-elected to the York council in the 1994 Toronto municipal election. During his time on council, he worked on various committees. These included Administrative Services and Works and Parks. He also served on boards for health, a hospital, the library, and youth services.

1996 Ontario By-Election

In 1996, Davis ran for a seat in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. This was for a special election in York South. He ran as a candidate for the Progressive Conservative Party. The seat was open because the leader of the New Democratic Party (NDP), Bob Rae, left his position. Davis won the nomination for his party. He came in third place in the election with 5,093 votes. The winner was Gerard Kennedy. City councillor David Miller came in second for the NDP. Davis was 32 years old at this time.

Toronto City Council

Rob Davis at a community event.

The City of York joined the new City of Toronto in 1997. Davis was elected to the new Toronto City Council in the 1997 Toronto municipal election. He was one of two councillors for Ward 28. He led Toronto's task force on crime prevention. In 2000, he helped create a gun buyback program. This program offered fifty dollars to anyone who gave up a gun. The program was seen as a success. Davis said the city collected over 2,000 guns in less than two weeks. He also served as the Vice-Chair of the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) from 1997 to 2000.

Davis was known as a councillor who focused on reducing taxes and improving safety. He was an ally of Mayor Mel Lastman.

Election Results

Source: 1991 Toronto municipal election

Source: 1994 Toronto municipal election

Source: Ontario provincial by-election, May 23, 1996/York South

*Top 2 elected**

Source: 1997 Toronto municipal election

Source: 2000 Toronto municipal election

Source: 2003 Toronto municipal election

Source: 2010 Toronto municipal election

Unofficial results as of October 26, 2010 03:55 AM

Return to Politics

Rob Davis with Bill Blair.

In April 2008, Rob Davis was appointed to a new role. He became a trustee for the Toronto Catholic District School Board. He replaced Christine Nunziata, who had resigned.

Rob Davis with Mike Harris.

On May 8, 2010, Davis was officially appointed to Ward 6 (York) of the school board. He said that the board needed to build "integrity" to regain parents' trust. His first action as trustee was to ask the board to create an "integrity commissioner" position. This would help ensure fair and honest practices.

In the 2010 Toronto municipal election, Davis ran for Toronto City Council again. He tried to win the seat for Ward 15 but was not successful.

In 2023, Davis ran for mayor of Toronto. He finished in 22nd place in that election.

Images for kids

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  Rob Davis