Biography

Tony Van Bynen immigrated to Canada in 1952 with his parents. He grew up on a family farm with five brothers and five sisters near London, Ontario, and has lived in Newmarket for almost 30 years after relocating to work as  a bank branch manager in 1980. He had previously lived in London, Barrie, Strathroy, Waterdown, North Bay, Sudbury, Peterborough and Pickering.

Throughout the years, Tony has always been active in the community and has contributed his time and energy to many local groups in a variety of sectors. He has worked with local businesses as a founding member of the Newmarket Chamber of Commerce and with homeowners as a member of the Newmarket Ratepayers Association. He is also a former Director of the York County Hospital Foundation, a founding member of the Downtown Development Committee and a former board member of the Newmarket Seniors’ Meeting Place.

Tony retired after a 30-year career in banking and entered into municipal politics in 2000 when he was elected as a Municipal Councillor. He was elected as a Regional Councillor in 2003 and subsequently as Mayor in 2006.

As Mayor, Tony is a member of all Town of Newmarket standing committees, as well as the York Region Council, and he is Chair of York Region’s Finance and Administration Committee. He is a member of numerous other York Region committees, including the Audit Committee, the Community Services and Housing Committee, the Transit Committee and the Community Reference Group.  As well Tony sits as a Director on the York Region Rapid Transit Corporation, Housing York Inc., Newmarket-Tay Power Distribution Ltd., Southlake Regional Health Centre and Trinity Glen - an affordable housing complex.

Tony's wife Roxanne was born in Windsor, Ontario and moved to the London Area as well. They met in high school and were married in 1970. Tony and Roxanne have two children and three grandchildren. Roxanne recently retired having spent most of her career teaching in Newmarket schools with the York Region District School Board. Tony is a Beatles fan and collects Beatles memorabilia.