Longest-serving politician in Canada’s history; Milton mayor will run again

They say you can’t outrun Father Time, but Gord Krantz is making it quite a race.

In fact, the race has become a habit as Krantz intends to run for mayor of Milton this fall for an unprecedented 15th time.

Krantz, who turns 89 on April 20, caught everyone by surprise today (April 7) by announcing his decision to run without giving advanced notice of his intentions.

“I’m no stranger, as you know, to elections,” Krantz told YourTV Halton. “Age is just a state of mind. As far as loving the work and having all my marbles together, as I would refer to it, it’s still all there. I still enjoy reasonably good health, and that’s the important part of it as well. As long as you enjoy what you do, I think that’s critical. Age has really no bearing on it.”

To say that Krantz is old-school is an understatement. Even using the term “having all my marbles” is a throwback to a certain age (it means to be in full possession of your mental faculties). But he makes no apologies for his enduring style. If you don’t like his approach, well, that’s your problem, as Krantz has left many a naysayer in the dust (sorry, another idiomatic expression) as he blazes a trail that no others have been able to follow, let alone attempt.

A true son of Milton, Krantz has been elected one way or another through various incarnations of local government since 1965. He became mayor in 1980, was acclaimed three times, and has never relinquished the seat.

However, during the last municipal election in 2022, he won by 1,000 votes over Zee Hamid, not the most convincing margin in his career, but one that left many to speculate that this term would be his last.

Not so.

While Hamid has moved on and is now a Conservative MP for Milton, up to four people are being mentioned as contenders, including current council colleague Sameera Ali.

The competition doesn’t faze Krantz.

“It’s like a horse race,” he said, this time using a metaphor. “It doesn’t matter how you win; it’s if you finish first, that’s what it’s all about. I intend to finish first, even if it is just by a nose.”

As Milton faces unprecedented growth and Queen’s Park tinkers with how municipal government operates, Krantz believes he still provides the stability and experience to best deal with the future. On Oct. 26, once the ballots are tallied, we will find out if Milton voters agree.