J. George Ramsden
Joseph George Ramsden (July 3, 1867 to December 28, 1946) was a long active municipal politician in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He was born in Thornhill, Ontario and first became active in politics working for Alexander Mackenzie in a York East by-election. He served for fifteen years as Chief Inspector for the Department of Indian Affairs, which saw him travel extensively through the north of the country. He was also a businessman owning a bakery and other stores in the city.
He was first elected to Toronto City Council in 1903 and retired as a member of the Toronto Board of Control in 1936. In total he won sixteen elections over that period, also losing office at several points. He was a Liberal Party member in a city whose politics were then dominated by the Tories. In 1935 he attempted to run for mayor but finished a distant third behind Co-operative Commonwealth Federation member James Simpson and conservative . He was nicknamed the "Watchdog of the Treasury" for his focus on reducing spending whenever possible.
Ramsden Park on Yonge Street just north of Davenport is named after him.
References[]
- "Treasury Watchdog, George Ramsden Dies." The Globe and Mail. December 29, 1948 pg. 4
- 1867 births
- 1946 deaths
- Toronto city councillors