James Blair
Pickering Ward 1
Over 26 Years of Dedicated Leadership in Education & Mentorship
For more than 26 years, James has served the Durham District School Board, primarily as a teacher of Politics, Economics, Civics, and Social Science. Throughout his career, he has helped thousands of young people become informed, engaged citizens.
In addition to his regular teaching responsibilities, James, along with other members of the Dunbarton High School community, has managed a Ministry of Education program for the past 15 years that operates alongside the standard Ontario curriculum. As coordinator of this specialised SHSM (High Skills Special Major) Health & Wellness Program, he promotes sector-specific training, certifications, and reach-ahead opportunities that connect students with employers and healthcare professionals. In this role, James is responsible for budgeting, capital acquisitions, sector partnerships, and ensuring all expenditures align with Ministry expectations.
James is known in the Pickering community for his continuous, proactive approach to ensuring a safe and welcoming learning environment for students and staff. James has, for the past eight years, served as the School Community Council staff representative and as the OSSTF Health & Safety Representative, advocating for the physical health & safety of staff and students. Outside the classroom, James has spent decades mentoring young people through rugby and wrestling. He has also organized youth exchange programs connecting students from Pickering with Indigenous and Inuit communities in Waswanipi, Quebec, and Pangnirtung, Nunavut. James truly believes that teaching theory is one thing; helping individuals develop the communication, social, and professional networks needed to apply that education practically is equally important.
Agricultural Expertise, Drainage & Environmental Stewardship
Raised on a family farm in central Ontario, James developed a lifelong appreciation for agriculture, environmental stewardship, and responsible land management. Today, alongside his career in public education, James is also a small-business agricultural operator and sharecropper.
He understands the economic, environmental, and food security value of Ontario's Grade A farmland and has been a consistent advocate for protecting it. His work with organizations such as the Land Over Landings coalition, the Durham Food Policy Council, and advocacy and support of the agricultural organizations such as Durham Region Federation of Agriculture, The Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario, The National Farmers Union and Ontario Farmland Trust underpins his belief that growth must be carefully managed to preserve our agricultural heritage and a valuable economic resource not only for today but for future generations to come. (Learn more: https://pub-durhamregion.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=9115)
Through both legislative knowledge and hands-on municipal & agricultural experience, James has a practical understanding of one of the most significant long-term challenges facing the community of Pickering and surrounding municipalities: surface water and subsurface drainage. He is well-versed in the Ontario Drainage Act (and its predecessor, the Ditches and Watercourses Act), the Nutrient Management Act, and the Conservation Authorities Act. This equips him to navigate the complex engineering, legal, and civil issues that arise from inadequate drainage planning, flooding, and stormwater management as Pickering grows.
Building a Strong & Resilient Local Agricultural and Food Processing sector and While strengthening our Local Food Systems
In 2010, James was invited by the Community Development Council Durham (CDCD) to help establish the Durham Food Policy Council (Learn more: https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/durham-local-food-efforts-gets-boost-from-greenbelt-539239431.html). He also co-founded the Durham Culinary Association and launched the first Dunbarton High School Farmers' Market with the support of like-minded citizens. That initiative has since grown into the successful farmers' market now held at the University of Toronto Scarborough campus. (Learn more: https://www.durhamregion.com/news/dunbarton-students-host-farmers-market/article_13cd7279-f267-5ef4-95b6-01882c521076.html
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Legislative Knowledge & Municipal Governance
James possesses direct, working knowledge of several key provincial statutes that shape municipal government, including the Ontario Municipal Act, the Fence Viewers Act, the Residential Tenancies Act (and Landlord and Tenant Board process), and the Construction Lien Act. He has also participated in proceedings before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, where he was recognised by a Judge as a friend of the court (amicus curiae).
He is equally familiar with federal statutes that directly affect the City of Pickering, including the Canada Transportation Act (CTA) and the Railway Safety Act (RSA). This is particularly relevant as Pickering evaluates major transportation initiatives, including the proposed Alto high-speed rail corridor, freight rail corridors, and the expanding GO Transit network.
A Proven Commitment to Community & Mental Health
James' commitment to public service extends well beyond education. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he served on the National Advisory Committee of the Mental Health Commission of Canada, contributing to discussions focused on youth mental health during one of the most challenging periods in recent history. Over the years, he has volunteered with numerous organizations dedicated to youth development, civic engagement, heritage preservation, and community sports, and serves as a board member of the Mount Horeb cemetery where his parents are interred overlooking the family farm.
Summary of Experience
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Advanced Executive Leadership & Strategy:
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Strategic Decision Making: Through an MBA in Leadership and Innovation, James has developed an understanding of organisational leadership, governance, operational management, and long-term strategic planning.
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Financial & Budgetary Management: Managing Ministry-funded educational programs demonstrates experience in fiscal responsibility, public-sector accountability, budgeting, and resource allocation. Combined with operating within the agricultural sector and managing rental property matters, this reflects experience handling both institutional and private-sector financial responsibilities.
2. Experience in Financial Oversight, Taxation & Risk Management
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Agricultural & Corporate Taxation: Experience navigating complex Canada Revenue Agency farm taxation rules, succession planning, principal residence exemptions and Lifetime Capital Gains Exemptions.
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Commodity & Market Analysis: Analysis of commodity markets, supply-chain logistics, production costs, and risk management in agricultural operations.
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Asset & Property Management: Practical experience in tenant relations, property management, and cash flow considerations with rental properties.
3. Regulatory, Public Policy & Land-Use Expertise:
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Municipal Law & Zoning Compliance: Direct experience dealing with land-use matters, municipal bylaws, and regulatory compliance.
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Political & Legislative Understanding: University education in Canadian Politics & Political Science (focusing on Canadian federalism and Sections 91 & 92(8) of the Constitution Act of 1867) provides a strong understanding of how municipal legislation is developed and how public policy functions.
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Political Experience: Supported by numerous years serving as an elected board member on EDA boards for federal and provincial electoral districts (including Pickering-Uxbridge EDA), serving as the EDA secretary for MPP Peter Bethlenfalvy (2018–2023), and securing a strong second-place finish in Ward 1 in the 2022 election among eight candidates.
James Blair
Ward 1 Campaign Principles
A campaign built on positive community support and a unwavering commitment to secure citizens overall well being. These core values will dictate every policy and community initiative I will champion for the future of the municipality of Pickering.