About Allan

Allan Elgar
Ward 4 Town and Regional Councillor

Why Allan became involved with Oakville politics

Allan Elgar had 30 years of business experience in management, (administration and finance) with Bell Canada in the year 2000 when he became the Founding President of Oakvillegreen Conservation Assn. Inc.. This grassroots organization was formed in response to residents' concerns about the sprawling development that was swallowing up the forests and natural habitats around Oakville, jamming the roads, and polluting the air.

Convinced of the need for a greener vision for Oakville’s future, and more careful research to support decisions and actions, Allan attended many meetings of Oakville Council and its committees. He found he was dissatisfied with the way the council of the time made decisions about land use and development. Allan concluded that the only way to influence the decisions being made was to become one of the decision-makers. So, when the Ontario Municipal elections were held in 2000, he decided to run for an Oakville and Regional Council seat, against a pro-development incumbent with close ties to developers. Allan campaigned on the belief that Oakville's residents should not pay for growth, and that growth should not reduce the quality of life. And Allan won by a large margin.

Service to Oakville and Halton Region and beyond

Allan Elgar has served on Oakville Town Council and Halton Region Council for the past fourteen years. He has served on many committees and boards and has led the charge on numerous initiatives. He was appointed by the province to serve on the Niagara Escarpment Commission. Allan served on the Board of Directors of the Credit Valley Conservation Authority. He has served as a Director on the Halton Region Conservation Authority for the last 14 years..

Allan's influence has spread beyond Halton region too. He is often interviewed by the media in locations throughout the GTA, for his knowledge of conservation and the environment and its application in municipal politics. He has been asked to speak at international conferences, has been on CBC radio and television, including The National and has been featured in Nature magazine as well as articles in the Toronto Star. In 2005, he won the Carolinian Canada award “in recognition of an outstanding contribution towards the protection of the natural diversity and natural habitats of Ontario’s Carolinian Zone." In 2013 he won the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal for his work in environmental protection.

Allan’s Personal Biography

Councillor Elgar was raised on a farm on the Oak Ridges Moraine. After graduating with a business degree from McMaster University, he enjoyed a 30 year career as a financial/administration manager with Bell Canada, which provided opportunities for him to live and work in various locations in Canada and abroad. He was responsible for multi-million dollar budgets and therefore gained a thorough understanding of the complexities of budgets and finance. He learned how to build a team effort and how to get the job done. His knowledge of modern-day business practices has proven to be a valuable asset on council.

Allan and his family have lived in Oakville since 1994. He has been on Oakville Council and Halton Regional Council since 2000.

In his spare time Allan still enjoys farming the family farm where he grew up near Peterborough, Ontario. Every year he and his wife, Linda, plant a large organic garden.

Family information:

Allan and his wife of 40 years, Linda, are proud parents of twin sons, Andrew and Michael. Andrew graduated from Guelph University with a degree in science and is working in Vancouver. Mike graduated with a degree in English from Sir Wilfrid Laurier University and earned a teaching degree at Newcastle University in Australia. Andrew has been active in sports, playing AA and AAA hockey for the Oakville Rangers. In 2001 Andrew proudly represented Ontario on the Cycling team for the Canada Games. Michael loves adventure and has spent a year teaching in South Korea, three years teaching in Abu Dhabi and is now currently teaching in Marrakesh Morocco..

Linda recently retired from a 32 year teaching career in both the elementary and secondary panels. Like Allan, Linda is community minded. In 2003 she was voted "Woman of the Year" by Halton Women's Centre for her "outstanding contribution to the community of Halton" for her work with Oakvillegreen.

While raising their sons, Allan was very active in community sports, especially hockey. He volunteered as a hockey coach, team manager and was on the executive of the Ottawa Region Hockey Association.