Bill Boytchuk Explained

Bill Boytchuk
Office1:Toronto City Councillor for Ward 1 (Swansea and Bloor West Village)
Term Start1:1969
Term End1:1976
Predecessor1:Mary Temple
Successor1:David White
Term Start2:1978
Term End2:1994
Predecessor2:Elizabeth Eayrs
Successor2:David Hutcheon
Birth Date:27 April 1922
Birth Place:Sniatyn, Stanisławów Voivodeship, Second Polish Republic
Death Place:Toronto, Ontario
Occupation:Pharmacist

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

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]

Notes and 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. Book: Jose, Colin. On-Side - 125 Years of Soccer in Ontario. Ontario Soccer Association and Soccer Hall of Fame and Museum. 2001. Vaughan, Ontario. 192.