Former Peel cop seeks council seat

[attach]1462[/attach]Ken Chan is running in the most crowded council race in the city, but that doesn’t faze him one bit.

He’s one of a dozen candidates competing in Toronto Centre Rosedale’s Ward 27 where current rep Kyle Rae has announced his retirement.

“We need people who aren’t career politicians,” said Chan, a former Peel Region police officer. “We need people with experience in
business, public service and community activists.”

Chan served as an officer from 1999-2003 while living in Ward 27 and commuting.

“One of the key factors for police officers is the ability to build bridges,” said the 34-year-old. “I’ve dealt with aggressive panhandlers and neighbourhood disputes.”

He’s spent time in the police homicide and drug departments.

Chan was also an advisor to mayoral candidate George Smitherman when he was minister of health.

“I was head of his policy and legislative services primarily responsible for inter-government relations,” he said. “I made sure Ontario got its fair share of federal dollars.

“George (Smitherman) and I helped get much needed resources for the ward for Sherbourne Health; Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans Parenting Network; and Supporting Our Youth,” said Chan. “We got money for sex-reassignment surgery after 10 years without funding.”

In 2008, he left the city to work for the British government, helping them cut red tape for business. For the past 12 months he’s been working for London Mayor Boris Johnson on policing and community safety.

Chan, who still owns property in the ward, said this experience will help him if elected.

“I was working for the British government when they faced the worst economic situation and a year working for the mayor of London in his office,” said Chan. “I believe I have the right skill set. A lot of the candidates have great ideas. But I am a candidate who can deliver.”

Chan has a diploma in investigative and forensic accounting from University of Toronto that helps him think like a lawyer or accountant when examining budgets, he explained.

He’s worked on provincial health and Peel police budgets. He wants to obtain more green space for the ward, and help keep crime rates down. He likes the current approach towards more community policing.

“You need to look to a long term scenario with schools, the city, province and health organizations to look at (crime) diversion and prevention,” he said. “Getting youth involved in sports. There’s a good opportunity for us to do that with (Pan Am Games) in 2015,” he said.

“I support a handgun ban.”

For more info on Chan’s candidacy, visit votekenchan.ca.