Brian Ashton (politician)

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Brian Ashton (born March 5, 1950) is a Canadian former politician who served on Scarborough and Toronto city councils. He began in local politics in 1984 as Scarborough’s executive alderman for Ward 7. In 1988 he was elected to the Metropolitan Toronto Council, representing Ward 13 Scarborough Bluffs, and he served there until the city and region were merged in 1997. After amalgamation, Ashton was elected to the new Toronto city council for Ward 36 Scarborough Southwest, a position he held until 2010. He also served on the Metropolitan Toronto Police Services Board (1992–1996; vice-chair 1993–1996) and was chair of the Toronto Transit Commission from 2000 to 2002. He played a leadership role on several progressive task forces, including Social Development, Youth, and Gun Control, and was known as a forthright, outspoken member.

Ashton supported Expo bids for Toronto, first backing Expo 2000 and later championing Expo 2015 to be held in Toronto’s Port Lands, a bid that ultimately failed despite government support. After amalgamation, he led the Economic Development and Parks Committee and supported David Miller in the 2003 mayoral race. In 2006 he joined Miller’s executive committee but resigned after casting the deciding vote against immediately implementing Miller’s proposed vehicle tax and 1.5% land transfer tax; he later opposed the taxes when they were reconsidered.

In 2010, Ashton did not seek re-election and was succeeded by Gary Crawford. After leaving politics, he served as president of the Canadian National Exhibition from 2012 to 2016. Born in East York, he lives in Toronto with his wife Linda and has worked as a research assistant to Scarborough mayor Gus Harris.