About James Pasternak

Councillor for Ward 6 - York Centre

Chair, North York Community Council

Member, Infrastructure and Environment Committee

Toronto Atmospheric Fund Committee

Mayor's Envoy in Promoting Social Cohesion and Fighting Hate

Board Member of Duke Heights Business Improvement Area

Board Member of Wilson Village Business Improvement Area

Awards and Honours

Ambassador For Peace Certificate - Universal Peace Federation

Certificate of Recognition for 3 Years of Service on Toronto and Region Conservation Authority's Board of Directors

Quincentennial Award - Philippine Consul General in Toronto

Prestige Toronto Award - 2015

Community Recognition Award - Pentecostal Missionary Church 

Certificate of Appreciation - Ao Dai Canada

Certificate of Transfer and Acceptance of Historical Marker (Dr. Jose Rizal Monument) - The Philippine Consulate General in Toronto

Certificate of Appreciation: World Faith Harmony Week - Darchei Noam

Certificate of Appreciation: TV Natin Canada

 

 

 

Passionate About Communities

During his time in office, Councillor Pasternak has been committed to fiscal responsibility while simultaneously supporting investments in precious programs and services. Councillor Pasternak has championed the improvement of city parks, recreation programs, senior’s issues, public realm projects and road infrastructure and storm water projects throughout York Centre. James listens. He has hosted numerous community meetings on topics such as transit, community safety, the arts, affordable housing, budgeting priorities and building applications. James was instrumental in making the recognition of the World War II Victory in Europe Day a major civic tribute to veterans and organized a major civic tribute to our 1972 Russia-Canada hockey heroes on the 40th anniversary of Canada’s victory.

At City Hall

Councillor Pasternak is credited with driving a number of transformative policy issues at City Hall. His work lead to the updating of the 15 year old City of Toronto Anti-Discrimination Policy; the creation of Toronto’s Tennis Excellence Framework; the move to expand Toronto’s student nutrition program; improving the safety and privacy issues of drone aircraft; and bringing the issue of e-cigarettes onto the Toronto Board of Health agenda.

James was born in Bathurst Manor and has been living in Ward 6 (York Centre) with his wife Lynn and four children for over 35 years. He was first elected to Toronto City Council in 2010 and re-elected in 2014, 2018, and 2022.

108,000 Constituents

1024 Events Attended

604 Public Speeches

+11,742 Issues Solved

Before City Hall

Before coming to a City Hall, James Pasternak was elected as a Toronto District School Board Trustee where he lead community initiatives such as special education and seeing the establishment of Toronto’s only Africentric Alternative School. Councillor Pasternak has earned degrees from the London School of Economics and Political Science, the University of Western Ontario and York University.