Veteran Toronto politician Case Ootes has announced plans to retire.Fred Lum/The Globe and Mail
Veteran Toronto politician Case Ootes, who played a major role in merging seven municipal governments into one jurisdiction 12 years ago, has decided to retire.
"I want to pursue some other things in life," the 68-year-old city councillor (Ward 29, Toronto-Danforth) said this morning. He will make a formal announcement when he meets with city hall media this afternoon.
First elected almost 22 years ago, the veteran politician led a right-leaning minority on council in opposition to the majority led by Mayor David Miller, who is not seeking a third term.
Mr. Ootes, who suffered a near-defeat in 2006 but won by a margin of 20 votes, said he made up his mind about a year ago to leave local politics.
"I've had a wonderful career as a councillor," he said, adding "I felt this was time to let people know."
Another veteran councillor, Kyle Rae (Ward 27 Toronto-Centre Rosedale) announced last month he will not run again either.
Jennifer Lewington