Beyond Politics
Alan Tonks
Liberal MP Alan Tonks enjoyed a lengthy career in municipal politics before becoming an MP in 2000. His father Chris was a long time York Township reeve and councillor. Alan's son, also named Chris, is a public school trustee in Toronto. Alan grew up in York Township and attended York University and later the University of Toronto. His first job out of school was working with CUSO in Jamaica, and when Alan returned to Canada he taught junior high school in Scarborough. Alan entered municipal politics in the 1970's and was the chairman of Metro Toronto from 1987 to 1997. Married to wife Cecile for 38 years, they have three children; Chris, Mathew and Melissa. Alan Tonks talks to Catherine Clark about his life Beyond Politics.
