Coun. Joe Kushner receives key to the City of St. Catharines

After 50 years of service on St. Catharines City Council, Coun. Joe Kushner received the Key to the City.

Kushner was presented with the key Monday night at his final council meeting by Mayor Mat Siscoe.

Kushner is Canada’s longest serving municipal councillor and opted not to run in this year’s election.

He was first elected to represent St. Andrew’s Ward in 1976 and has served continuously on council for five decades.

Siscoe said the presentation of the key to Kushner was a fitting way to recognize a lifetime of dedication to St. Catharines.

“Fifty years of public service is an incredible achievement, but Joe’s legacy is about much more than the number of years he has served,” Siscoe said.

“For generations of residents, he has been a constant for City Council, always focused on representing his constituents and being a careful steward of taxpayer dollars. His commitment to St. Catharines extends well beyond council, through his work as an educator, philanthropist and volunteer.”

WATCH MORE: St. Catharines Coun. Joe Kushner ends his 50-year career