The following is the brief introduction John prefers when he is making a speech:

John Sewell, former Mayor of Toronto, has written widely for many publications and has delivered speeches on planning and local governance issues across Canada and in the United States . He is the author of a number of books and a weekly column writer for several publications. He has been engaged in city politics in Toronto since the 1960s as a community activist, city councillor, journalist, writer, housing administrator, and entrepreneur as well as Mayor for a two year term. He was awarded the Order of Canada in 2005.