A long-time city councillor in Brampton is calling it quits after eight terms in office.

Grant Gibson has announced that he will not seek re-election in 2018 after this current session.

"It has been my honour to serve the constituents of Wards 1 & 5 for so many years,” said Gibson noting that the “job of councillor has changed” as the city has grown from a small town in the GTA to one of Canada’s fastest growing communities.

Gibson lists his efforts on downtown revitalization as a highlight of his long career in municipal politics, although he will be most known for being a vocal critic of the leadership and key figure in a bloc on council that has formed up in recent years against both Mayor Linda Jeffrey and former mayor Susan Fennell.

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This term, Gibson has locked horns with Jeffrey on a number of issues including accusing the mayor of misleading council on her plans for light rail expansion into the downtown. He was among the contingent on council that in 2015 voted against the province’s preferred route for the LRT.

“We have faced a lot of challenges and had a lot of successes. But this job is about the people we represent and I have found my greatest enjoyment when I am working with my constituents to find solutions to their problems. That’s why I ran for office in the first place; to help my neighbours.”

Gibson was first elected as an Alderman for Ward 5 in 1991 following the death of his father Chris.

During his eight terms of office, Gibson served on several committees, and was chair of community services, building and bylaw, planning and budget committee. After the reduction in the number of Wards in 2003, Gibson became the City Councillor for Wards 1 and 5. In 2006 and 2014, his fellow councillors appointed him regional councillor.

Gibson said after politics he plans to spend his retirement travelling with his wife Allison and spending time with his grandchildren.

His departure leaves a wide-open race in Wards 1 and 5.