Gord Perks gives farewell speech at Toronto council
Toronto councillor Gord Perks ends 20 years at city council with a final speech Read the heartfelt farewell, his sharp parting remark and a rare council embrace
Toronto councillor Gord Perks delivered his final speech at city council on Thursday, marking the end of a 20year career representing Ward 4 ParkdaleHigh Park. He announced in April that he would not seek reelection in the Oct. 16 municipal vote.
Perks thanked his staff, family and constituents for their support over two decades in office. In a lighthearted closing, he described his parting advice for public service as, "Capitalism is trash," drawing applause from those in the chamber.
The speech ended with a brief, friendly embrace between Perks and Coun. Stephen Holyday, who had joked about cutting the comment short. Perks said disagreements at council are part of trying to imagine the kind of world people want to build.