James Pasternak (/ˈpæstərnæk/ PAST-ər-nak; born February 15, 1959[1]) is a Canadian politician who represents Ward 6 York Centre on the Toronto City Council. Pasternak has served on council since he was elected in 2010, representing Ward 10 (later amalgamated into Ward 6). He was a Toronto District School Board trustee before his election to council.

James Pasternak
Pasternak in 2010
Toronto City Councillor
for Ward 6 York Centre
Assumed office
December 1, 2018
Preceded byWard created
Toronto City Councillor
for Ward 10 York Centre
In office
December 1, 2010 – November 3, 2018
Preceded byMike Feldman
Succeeded byWard dissolved
Toronto District School Board Trustee
for Ward 5 York Centre
In office
December 1, 2006 – November 30, 2010
Preceded byShane Manikowsky
Succeeded byHoward Kaplan
Personal details
Born (1959-02-15) February 15, 1959 (age 65)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
OccupationPolitician

Background edit

Pasternak is a graduate of York University. He also has degrees from the University of Western Ontario and the London School of Economics and Political Science.[2]

Political career edit

Pasternak was elected to Toronto City Council in the 2010 city council election to succeed Mike Feldman in Ward 10.[3] He was previously a Toronto District School Board trustee.

Israel apartheid debate edit

In 2012, Pasternak introduced a motion that asked City Manager Joe Pennachetti to update Toronto's anti-discrimination policy and to determine whether including QAIA in Pride events violated the policy. Pasternak believes "QuAIA is not there to support the Palestinian people; it’s there to bully and demonize Israel, its supporters and the Jewish community."[4][5] The following year, in 2013, Pasternak continued to lead the effort to defund Toronto Pride over the use of the term Israel apartheid by its participating members.[6]

Election results edit

2022 Toronto municipal election, Ward 6 York Centre
Candidate Votes Vote share
Mike Arkin 1,916 11.6%
Basil Canning 1,179 7.1%
James Pasternak 12,187 73.54%
Hope Schrier 1,292 7.8%
Total 16,574
100%
Source: City of Toronto[7]
2018 Toronto municipal election, Ward 6 York Centre
Candidate Votes Vote share
James Pasternak 11,559 47.61%
Maria Augimeri 9,223 37.99%
Louise Russo 2,726 11.23%
Edward Zaretsky 771 3.17%
Total 24,279
100%
Source: City of Toronto[8]
2014 Toronto election, Ward 10[9]
Candidate Votes %
James Pasternak 11,183 57.78%
Igor Toutchinski 3,112 16.08%
Epstein David 2,126 10.99%
Mitchell Michael 1,096 5.66%
Bucao Randy 1,040 5.37%
Masucci Liberato 796 4.11%
Total 19,353 100%
2010 Toronto election, Ward 10[10]
Candidate Votes %
James Pasternak 3,159 19.15%
Nancy Oomen 2,777 16.83%
Brian Shifman 2,632 15.96%
Igor Toutchinski 2,605 15.79%
Konstantin Toubis 1,887 11.44%
Magda Gondor Berkovits 935 5.67%
Jarred Friedman 850 5.15%
Joseph Cohen 535 3.24%
Eric Plant 355 2.15%
Edward Zaretsky 326 1.97%
Robert Freedland 244 1.48%
Drago Banovic 186 1.12%
Total 16,491 100%
2006 Toronto District School Board election, Ward 5[11]
Candidate Votes %
James Pasternak 6,210 62.27%
Mitchell Worsoff 1,940 19.45%
Donna Khaner 1,077 10.80%
Frank Bonavota 745 7.48%
Total 9,972 100%

References edit

  1. ^ "James Pasternak Official Facebook Page" Toronto Star, November 22, 2010.
  2. ^ "James Pasternak's Official Campaign Site". Archived from the original on 2011-08-18. Retrieved 2010-12-03.
  3. ^ "Changed council faces new mayor". Toronto Star, October 25, 2010.
  4. ^ Make Pride Parade funding contingent on non-participation of QuAIA, Pasternak says Archived 2013-03-10 at the Wayback Machine, MAY 29, 2012, Jewish Tribune
  5. ^ Israeli Apartheid out, QuAIA in – and funded Archived 2012-06-20 at the Wayback Machine, June 11, 2012, Jewish Tribune.
  6. ^ Council delays report on 'Israeli apartheid' March 19, 2013, Xtra
  7. ^ "Declaration of Results for the Toronto Municipal Election" (PDF). Toronto City Clerk's Office. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  8. ^ "Declaration of Results" (PDF). Toronto City Clerk's Office. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 25, 2018. Retrieved November 25, 2021.
  9. ^ City of Toronto elections results 2014
  10. ^ City of Toronto elections page Archived 2010-10-26 at the Wayback Machine
  11. ^ City of Toronto elections page

External links edit