Member of the Order of Canada
Awarded on: 2004-10-29
Invested on: 2005-06-10
Passionate and principled, John Sewell has been a powerful voice in Toronto's municipal affairs for decades. A lawyer by training, he has served as city councillor, mayor, journalist and activist. He came to prominence in the 1960s, when he helped residents of a disadvantaged downtown neighbourhood to fend off demolition of their homes. Since then, he has played a pivotal role in countless urban issues. He founded Citizens for Local Democracy and served as chair of the Royal Commission on Planning and Development Reform in Ontario. An author and public speaker, he has also helped communities in Africa with issues of local governance.