Dr. Li Preti brings experience, education and significant community involvement to his 23 years as a municipal politician. He was first elected in 1985 as an Alderman, and has subsequently been elected as a North York Councillor in 1988, 1991, and 1994. His success and achievements as a Councillor has extended to the Megacity, where he was elected in 1997 and 2003. He is fluent in English, French, Italian and Spanish. This bodes well in the culturally-rich neighbourhoods which he represents, nestled in the northwest corner of the former City of North York. Councillor Li Preti attributes his political success to having a deep understanding of intercultural nuances, motivational factors and interpersonal skills. The capacity to strike a balance between the demands of politics, retention of professional status, and a strong commitment to family life has been a challenging experience.

Having received both his B.A. and M.A. at the University of Toronto, Councillor Li Preti went on to complete a Master of Education in School Psychology and Clinical Counselling. He later achieved a Doctoral Degree in Clinical Psychology, and prior to the formation of the megacity, Dr. Li Preti, along with his political responsibilities, practised as a neuropsychotherapist. Dr. Li Preti is founder and president of the Family and Individual Psychoneurological Assessment Centre. He strongly supports programs which will benefit children, seniors and their families.

He is a strong advocate of maintaining and preserving affordable housing stock, supporting and encouraging the provision of good child care and expanding and upgrading recreation and playground facilities. Councillor Li Preti is an ardent believer in good nutrition, physical activity and a clean environment – the essentials for healthy minds and bodies. Significant also is his initiative and support for Computers at Home, a project aimed at providing computers to students who are unable to afford one, thus providing them with an increasingly important resource to assist in their school work. More than 500 families have expressed deep gratitude.

He has worked hard with other partners in the community, challenging the media in their depiction of events. This has met with some success, but will be an ongoing struggle. The ‘good news’ stories don’t sell papers, and to this end, Councillor Li Preti has supported and affirmed the efforts of skilled individuals within the community to establish locally published newspapers.

Councillor Li Preti has a track record of facilitating the formation of homeowner associations and tenant associations within his constituency. He supports their issues and concerns, and involving them in advocacy and decision making. The high standard of road reconstruction, parks development, support for ‘the arts’, and consistent expectation of prompt response on the part of city departments to concerns expressed by constituents, bears witness to his strongly held conviction that ‘these communities deserve the best quality of service’.

Less visible is the work which this Councillor does behind the scenes in counselling, promoting, listening, providing opportunities for employment, linking individuals with prospective employers, writing letters of reference, advocating on behalf of those most vulnerable on issues related to housing, daycare, social services, safety and security, education and recreation. Recognizing that more than 60% of his constituents are tenants, he has assisted in the formation of tenant associations, and constantly pushes the owners and managers of apartment buildings toward a higher level of property upgrades. Many seniors residing in subsidized housing in Ward 8 look to Councillor Li Preti as a person who will represent their interests, their needs and their fears.

Peter was a strong supporter of the Oakdale Community/Recreation Center (recently opened), and also stood by and advocated with those who felt that the old Yorkwoods Community Center could meet continuing needs for much sought after space. This has resulted in a decision to maintain this structure and encourage its continued use and availability to residents through programs and services provided by the Salvation Army.

Any reference to city councillor is pre 2006