East York 1924-1997: Toronto's Garden of Eden

The East York Foundation was originally created in April of 1965 by an Act of the Provincial Legislature. Prior to this, municipal administrators and politicians had worked together to establish a not for profit body to assist in preserving and protecting the cultural assets of East York. This initiative was spearheaded by Reeve True Davidson.

The mission of the East York Foundation is; “To contribute to the historical, cultural and recreational enrichment of the people of East York, which encompasses the communities of East York and Leaside”. The East York Foundation is dedicated to the promotion of community institutions, associations and organizations. To help do this, the Foundation assists these groups in fundraising campaigns for both capital and non capital projects. As an Ontario Registered Charity, income tax receipts can be issued by the East York Foundation to qualified donors.

The East York Foundation is operated by an elected, volunteer Board of Directors. After more than 50 years, the East York Foundation continues to liaise and work co-operatively with local residents, businesses, institutions and organizations. To find out more about the East York Foundation, and to make donations to it, please contact Gord Piercey. He can be reached at gordpiercey@hotmail.com or send mail to 850 Coxwell Avenue, East York, Ontario M4C 5R1.

​The East York Foundation is proud to support the publishing of Alan Redway’s East York 1924-1997: Toronto’s Garden of Eden. This is yet another tangible example of how the East York Foundation meets its mandate and community responsibility, and continues to play a part in the history of East York.

Reviews coming soon.


Reviews for Alan's previous book: Governing Toronto

The HON. JEAN CHAREST, FORMER PREMIER OF QUEBEC:

“When I had the privilege of serving as the Premier of Quebec my government passed legislation to allow municipalities formerly amalgamated to become de-amalgamated. Many took advantage of this opportunity including a number previously merged with the city of Montreal. While calling for an Ontario government review of the existing governance of Toronto, my friend Alan Redway in this book points out  not only that de-amalgamations have been successfully achieved in Quebec but also that the present borough system of government in the city of Montreal itself could well be a model for a more decentralized Toronto form of government.”
JOHN SEWELL, FORMER MAYOR OF TORONTO:

“Who knew that a history of local government in the Toronto area could be so lively and chock full of interesting quotes? Alan Redway has done a superb job of pulling together so many back-room stories about how decisions were made over a fifty year period leading up to the creation of the megacity–and why it should be rethought. Bravo!”
ANDREW SANCTON, PROFESSOR OF POLITICAL SCIENCE AT WESTERN UNIVERSITY AND AUTHOR OF MERGER MANIA

"As a former mayor of East York and federal cabinet minister, Alan Redway obviously knows his way around Toronto politics. His new book demonstrates that he also knows his way around Toronto’s archives. He guides us through the creation and evolution of Metro Toronto and of the amalgamated city, often enlivening his account with new information from interviews with key players, including Mike Harris. Toronto’s current policy-makers – both provincially and locally – should carefully consider his plea to 'Bring Back the City that Worked'."