A lifelong resident of Ontario since 1949, Russ Powers believes that “everyone has an obligation to give back to your community, more than you receive” – and to this end he leads by example. He was the founder of the Dundas Easter Egg Hunt and is still involved with it 31 years later. He was the founder and inaugural chairman of Dundas’ Cactus Festival in 1976 (now in its 29th year with more than 150,000 attendees) and maintained active participation for almost 20 years.

Mr. Powers has served in municipal governance for almost 19 years as a Councillor in the former Town of Dundas, a Regional Councillor in the former Region of Hamilton-Wentworth and, now, a Councillor in the City of Hamilton. He serves on numerous civic, municipal and national committees including the Federation of Canadian Municipalities where he serves as a National Vice-President and chairs their Environmental Issues Committee. Mr. Powers has developed a vast range of experience in intergovernmental affairs.

He has resided in Dundas for 38 years. He is married to Linda and they have two adult children and two grandchildren. He was educated at Dundas District High School, Mohawk College and the Royal Institute of Public Health and Hygiene. He has been employed in the Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University for more than 25 years.