Bill Boytchuk

William Boytchuk (April 27, 1922 January 22, 1998) was a longtime city councillor in Toronto, Ontario.[1]

Bill Boytchuk
Toronto City Councillor for Ward 1 (Swansea and Bloor West Village)
In office
1969–1976
Preceded byMary Temple
Succeeded byDavid White
In office
1978–1994
Preceded byElizabeth Eayrs
Succeeded byDavid Hutcheon
Personal details
Born(1922-04-27)April 27, 1922
Sniatyn, Stanisławów Voivodeship, Second Polish Republic
DiedJanuary 22, 1998(1998-01-22) (aged 75)
Toronto, Ontario
OccupationPharmacist

He was born near Sniatyn, Poland and after spending several years in Germany immigrated to Canada in 1948. Working as a pharmacist he became active in the local Ukrainian committee.

Boytchuk was elected to city council in the 1969 election representing the westernmost part of the Old City of Toronto covering Swansea and Bloor West Village. He was considered one of the council's "Old Guard" of conservative, generally pro-development councillors but became more moderate over his time in office. During the Cold War he was also notable for his strong anti-Soviet policies. He played a central role in having a monument to the Katyn Massacre erected in his ward. In 1990 he also led the effort to oppose a sister city agreement with Volgograd.[2]

In the 1976 election Boytchuk lost his seat in a surprise upset to left winger David White. He thus decided to run provincially for the Progressive Conservatives in the 1977 Ontario election for the riding of High Park—Swansea. He lost that race in a close contest to NDP incumbent Ed Ziemba. With the retirement of Elizabeth Eayrs, the other councillor in his old seat, Boytchuk returned to council in 1978. He continued to represent his west end seat until he retired in 1994.

In 1964, he served as the president of the National Soccer League until the 1968 season.[3]

References

  1. "William Boytchuk, 75, Toronto city councilman", The Ukrainian Weekly, March 8, 1998.
  2. "Debate rages, again, over Soviet twin city Toronto urged not to team up with Volgograd." Susan Reid. Toronto Star. Feb 13, 1990. pg. A.6
  3. Jose, Colin (2001). On-Side - 125 Years of Soccer in Ontario. Vaughan, Ontario: Ontario Soccer Association and Soccer Hall of Fame and Museum. p. 192.
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