James Dann

Public leader · Toronto

I bring people together around a mission and get hard things done.

Twenty-five years running Toronto's waterfront parks, then a run for City Council built from a standing start.

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James Dann
  • 25 yearsleading at the City of Toronto
  • 200unionized staff and 10 managers
  • $14Moperating budget, plus a $15M revenue target
  • 25,000+doors knocked in 2026

The record

Toronto's waterfront, run day to day.

As Manager, Waterfront Parks, I ran the Island ferries, the Toronto Islands, and the eastern and western beaches, from 1999 to 2024.

Leading large teams

10 managers and about 200 unionized staff across the ferries, the Islands and the beaches, with a $14 million operating budget and a $15 million revenue target, earned from ferry fares and permits.

Solving complex problems

  • Ran the Island ferry service, a transportation operation run by the City of Toronto and regulated by Transport Canada.
  • Led Parks operations on the $1.25 billion Port Lands Flood Protection project, working with all three levels of government.
  • Directed the multi-agency response to the 2017 and 2019 lake flooding, bringing in Toronto Water, the TRCA and thousands of staff hours from other divisions.
  • Led the procurement of Toronto's first new Island ferries in about 60 years.
  • Rebuilt or restored the Leuty Lifeguard Station, Woodbine Bathing Station, the Boardwalk, Martin Goodman Trail, the Kew Gardens bandshell, Corktown Common and Sherbourne Common.
  • Brought Blue Flag certification, the leading international environmental standard for beaches, to Toronto's waterfront.

Working across government

Worked with five mayors and dozens of councillors across the city, and with federal, provincial and agency partners including Transport Canada, PortsToronto, Waterfront Toronto and the TRCA. I know how a file moves through City Hall, from staff to committee to Council.

Running for City Council, 2026

A campaign built from nothing.

In Beaches–East York I started with no organization and one paid staff member. I recruited a volunteer team, raised the money and took the campaign to the doors myself.

Covered by CityNews, TorontoToday and Beach Metro News.

100+volunteers
200+donors, over $75,000 raised, more than the legal spending limit
1paid staff member
25,000+doors knocked

On the ground

Problems and fixes, in 90 seconds.

What's next

What I'm looking for.

Government relations: knowing how government actually works, and how to make a difference.

Government relations

Helping organizations work with government at every level: the departments, the process and the people across the table.

Senior public operations

Parks, waterfront and operations leadership at a municipality or public agency.

Contact

Let's talk.

Recruiters, public agencies and firms: I'd be glad to hear from you.

Email James Download my resume (PDF)

james.douglas.dann@gmail.com