The 1980 Toronto municipal election was held on November 10, 1980 in Metropolitan Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Mayors, controllers, city councillors and school board trustees were elected in the municipalities of Toronto, York, East York, North York, Etobicoke and Scarborough. Art Eggleton narrowly defeated incumbent John Sewell to become Mayor of Toronto, and Mel Lastman was re-elected as Mayor of North York.

Toronto

Mayoral race

In the 1978 election reform candidate John Sewell had won against two more conservative candidates. In 1980 election the right united around Art Eggleton, and he narrowly defeated Sewell. Eggleton carried eight of the city's eleven wards, dominating in the west end, and prevailing in North Toronto and the east end by narrower margins. While Sewell increased his vote in every ward, he only carried three wards in the heart of the city: midtown's ward 5 (which included the city's Annex district), the downtown core (ward 6) and ward 7, which he had previously represented as an alderman.

City council

City council saw a handful of major upsets and was considered to have been moved to the right by the election as in addition to losing the mayoralty reformers lost their majority on council. The most notable upset was in the downtown Ward 6. Incumbent Allan Sparrow had stepped aside to allow George Hislop to run, in the belief that the large gay community in the ward deserved a representative on council. Hislop was one of the leading gay rights activists in the city, and his campaign was vigorously opposed by figures such as evangelist Ken Campbell. In a surprise upset Hislop lost to little known local dentist Gordon Chong. Elsewhere the left won important victories. Tom Wardle Jr., who had been involved in several controversies including an assault conviction, was defeated by former councillor Dorothy Thomas. After four failed attempts Joe Pantalone won a seat on council by capturing the one vacated by Eggleton. Top two from each ward elected to Toronto City Council. Top one from each ward also wins a seat on Metro Toronto council. Results are taken from the November 11, 1980 Toronto Star and might not exactly match final tallies.

By-elections

Ward 2 Alderman Tony Ruprecht resigned to contest the 1981 provincial election. Ben Grys was appointed Metro Councillor on April 9. A by-election was held on May 25, 1981: Ward 6 Alderman Dan Heap resigned having won a Federal by-election for Spadina on 17 August 1981. A by-election was held on October 19, 1981:

East York

Alan Redway won his third term in office as mayor. All the incumbent councillors were re-elected. The only newcomer to council was Mike Wyatt in ward two. † denotes incumbent from previous council

Mayor

Council

Two to be elected from each ward

Board of education

Two to be elected from each ward

Hydro Commission

Two to be elected

Etobicoke

Mayor

(762 out of 833 polls) (Source: Globe and Mail, 11 Nov 1980, pg 12)

Board of Control

Four to be elected (762 out of 833 polls) (Source: Globe and Mail, 11 Nov 1980, pg 12)

North York

Mayor

(1257 of 1379 polls)

Board of Control

(1257 of 1379 polls)

City Council

Mario Gentile was re-elected as Ward 2 councillor.

Scarborough

In Scarborough, Gus Harris retained his role as Mayor Scarborough. All Board of Control members were re-elected except Frank Faubert. All incumbent aldermen were returned to office. Faubert was returned to office in a by-election as alderman for Ward 5 when Alan Robinson was elected to provincial office in the 1981 Ontario election.

Mayor

(1103 out of 1110 polls)

Board of Control

(1103 out of 1110 polls)

Borough Aldermen

York

In the borough of York, Gayle Christie was re-elected for a second term as Mayor defeating Alan Tonks by a wide margin. The five aldermen who ran again were re-elected. Tony Mandarano and James Trimbee were the only new members of York Council.

Mayor

Board of Control (2 elected)

Council