Is it possible to change the world? Jim Tovey believes it is. Mississauga’s 2009 Citizen of the Year felt the residents of Ward 1 had suffered enough, so he lobbied all levels of government to ensure the coal-fired Lakeview Generating station would come down for good. Then a new battle that continues to this day – to ensure the industrial site in the backyard of Ward 1 residents would not be converted to burn natural gas.  

Instead, Jim knew community life would be enhanced for everyone - if Mississauga’s eastern waterfront could be used by its citizens, not industry.  It has become known as the Legacy Project and if started, could be another example of Mississauga’s world-class leadership in urban planning innovation. It is just one of many ideas Jim would like to talk about as he asks for your support by electing him to Councillor for Ward 1.

Having chaired six committees for the city of Mississauga and the Province of Ontario, in addition to serving as former President for his local neighborhood resident’s association, Jim has always approached issues with wisdom, integrity and common sense.  The power of working together to overcome challenges has always been a source of inspiration – and is always encouraged by Jim Tovey.

Jim’s ‘belief in possibilities’ developed at an early age, when as a young boy, he was among the residents of Malton to watch the unveiling of Canada’s Avro Arrow at its first public showing. Summers on his Uncle Everett’s farm gave him an unwavering respect for our land. Listening to the very few war stories his father would share after returning from World War II, instilled a profound sense of the value of providing a means for people to live in harmony. 

Perhaps Jim’s greatest challenge has been to overcome a life-long disability that resulted from a swimming accident when he was nine years old.  Although he survived, the accident resulted in permanent nerve damage that did not stop his careers as a songwriter, performer, designer and builder.

For more than two decades, Jim has lived in Ward 1 with his wife Lee. There, they designed and built their heritage home from the ground up – just as he would like to continue building a better community for neighborhood residents. After all, it is also the home his grandson now visits.