Paula Fletcher

Personal life

Fletcher was born in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario and moved to Toronto, Ontario, then to Winnipeg, Manitoba before again relocating to Toronto. As of 2010, she lives in Toronto with her husband John Cartwright and their two children. Her husband is the president of the Toronto and York Region Labour Council. A carpenter by trade, Cartright was formerly the Business Manager of the Construction Trades Council and co-chair of the Metro Jobstart Coalition. He has served on the Boards of the Waterfront Regeneration Trust, the United Way Toronto, the Toronto 2008 Olympic Bid, and the Labour Education Centre.

Career

Fletcher was a union organizer in a Toronto garment mill in the early 1970s. After working at the mill, she worked at the Downsview DeHavilland Plant. When she worked there, she went by the nickname 'Rosie the Riveter'. At the DeHavilland plant, she was involved in the women's committee of Canadian Auto Workers Local 112.

In Winnipeg, Fletcher worked as an educator in third world development, and became a community activist. In 1980, she ran for the Winnipeg School Board for Ward 2, in the city's north end. In 1981, she was elected leader of the Communist Party of Canada (Manitoba) and served as leader for five years. She ran in the 1981 and 1986 provincial elections in the Winnipeg riding of Burrows. She garnered 144 and 131 votes respectively, less than 2% of the popular vote. In the early 1980s, she sang with a group called Rank and File.

In 1986, Fletcher left the Communist Party and moved back to Toronto. In the 1990s, Fletcher worked at Toronto City Hall as executive assistant to city councillor Dan Leckie.

Toronto school board

In 2000, Fletcher was elected as a trustee for Ward 15 in the Toronto District School Board. During her time on the board, she was active in fighting service cuts by the Mike Harris and Ernie Eves Progressive Conservative governments, and helped prevent two school closures in her area. One of them was Bruce Junior Public School, which Fletcher helped save by housing a new centre there for childhood learning and development for families.

2003 term

When Jack Layton resigned as Toronto city councillor to run for the leadership of the New Democratic Party of Canada (NDP). Fletcher ran to replace him and received the endorsement of the NDP, Layton (who was NDP leader by the time of the Toronto council election campaign) and Marilyn Churley, who was the local NDP Member of Provincial Parliament.

In the 2003 election, eight candidates competed in Ward 30. Prominent candidates included Chris Phibbs, who was executive assistant to Toronto City Councillor Kyle Rae for 11 years, and Maureen Gilroy, a centrist candidate who had the backing of Liberal MP Dennis Mills. A key issue in the 2003 election was the proposed fixed link to the Toronto Island Airport that Fletcher opposed. Fletcher won with 39.5% of the vote (6,460 votes), beating Phibbs, who received 26.1% of the vote; Gilroy, who received 19.3% of the vote; and McCormick, who received 5.1%. The total number of votes cast was 16,373 votes.

As a councillor, Fletcher rallied Toronto City Council to oppose the Portlands Energy Centre, a 550 megawatt power plant in the Port Lands district beside the Hearn Generating Station. The grassroots campaign was unable to stop construction of the plant, which was completed in 2007. Significant developments in Ward 30 that Fletcher supported include Filmport (now known as Pinewood Toronto Studios), which is Canada's largest purpose-built sound stage and film production space, and the Zhong Hua Men Archway, the only traditional Chinese archway to be built in Toronto.

2006 term

In the 2006 election, Fletcher ran in a field of six candidates. The overall turnout in Ward 30 dropped to 13,181 votes. Fletcher won with 60.3% of the vote. With the drop in voter turnout, however, her vote total increased by 1,476 votes over the 2003 results to 7,936 votes. Suzanne McCormick, who had run against her in 2003, was the second-place candidate and received 26.3% (3,470 votes).

During Fletcher's second term, Fletcher served as the chair of the Parks and Environment Committee, where she spearheaded the City of Toronto's Climate Change, Clean Air and Sustainable Energy Action Plan and Climate Change Adaptation Strategy, and the People, Dogs and Parks – Off-Leash Areas and Commercial Dog Walker Permit Policy. As chair, she was also a member of the mayor's Executive Committee. She also served on the boards of Toronto Public Health and the Toronto Community Housing Corporation, and she chaired the Aboriginal Committee and the Animal Services sub-committee.

Leslieville Smart Centres development

In 2009, Fletcher campaigned against an application by Smart Centres to build a 65,000 m² (700,000 sq ft) retail facility in the City's 'Studio District'. The development was proposed for lands occupied by Toronto Film Studios, which would have required a change in the zoning from industrial to retail. The proposal was denied on the grounds that the development would have destabilized the surrounding employment district. Smart Centres appealed the decision to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB). In March 2009, the OMB sided with city council. However, OMB vice-chair James McKenzie was critical of measures taken to block the proposal.

Budget 2010 outburst

On 2 March 2010, Fletcher "interrogated" a man who was identified as John Smith during deputations on the City of Toronto's budget. In response to Smith's criticisms, Fletcher wanted to know if he expected her to cut the arts budget, school breakfast programs, or subsidized daycare spots. Smith replied, "Councillor, you're asking me to do your job. Are you seeking re-election in [October]? You're being paid to make tough decisions." After a further exchange, he added, "You should be fired." Fletcher yelled back, "Oh, come and run against me. Come on down, baby!" Fletcher subsequently apologized for her comments, writing in a letter to Toronto City Council.

Bike lanes

Fletcher has been a strong advocate for better bike lane infrastructure in Toronto. In 2014, she joined a number of other councillors on "Bike to Work Day". In May 2010, however, Fletcher accidentally voted against a proposal to install bike lanes on University Avenue in downtown Toronto. The proposal failed on a 15-13 vote. She said she had intended to vote in favour of the proposal and cited fatigue and city hall technology for her mis-vote.

2010 term

In the October 25, 2010 municipal election, Fletcher increased her vote to narrowly beat former CityTV reporter Liz West by less than 2% of the votes cast. West's campaign was buoyed by the support of mayoral candidate Rob Ford and his upsurge in the campaign that led to his election. The Globe' and Mail reported that there was a strong desire for change in the ward that led to the close showing by West, who entered the race in mid-August. Third-place candidate Andrew James dropped out of the race and endorsed West prior to the election day. The Toronto and York Region Labour Council endorsed Fletcher and several other councillor and school trustee candidates.