Politics

In 1980, she ran for the Winnipeg School Board for Ward 2, in the city's north end. In 1981, she was elected leader of the Communist Party of Canada (Manitoba) and served as leader for five years.^[5] She ran in the 1981 and 1986 provincial elections in the Winnipeg riding of Burrows. She garnered 144 and 131 votes respectively, less than 2 per cent of the popular vote. In the early 1980s, she sang with a group called Rank and File.^[1] In 1986, Fletcher left the Communist Party and moved back to Toronto.

Election and early tenure

When Jack Layton resigned from council to run for the leadership of the New Democratic Party (NDP), Fletcher ran to replace him and received the endorsement of Layton (who was NDP leader by the time of the Toronto council election campaign) and the NDP, and Marilyn Churley, who was the NDP member of Provincial Parliament (MPP).^[6]

In the 2003 municipal election, eight candidates competed in Ward 30. Prominent candidates included Chris Phibbs, who was executive assistant to Toronto City Councillor Kyle Rae for 11 years, and Maureen Gilroy, a centrist candidate who had the backing of Liberal member of Parliament (MP) Dennis Mills. A key issue in the 2003 election was the proposed fixed link to the Toronto Island Airport that Fletcher opposed.^[6] Fletcher won with 39.5 per cent of the vote.^[7]

As a councillor, Fletcher rallied Toronto City Council to oppose the Portlands Energy Centre, a 550 megawatt power plant in the Port Lands district beside the Hearn Generating Station. The grassroots campaign was unable to stop construction of the plant, which was completed in 2007. Significant developments in Ward 30 that Fletcher supported include Filmport (now known as Pinewood Toronto Studios), which is Canada's largest purpose-built sound stage and film production space, and the Zhong Hua Men Archway, the only traditional Chinese archway to be built in Toronto.

Re-election

In the 2006 municipal election, Fletcher ran in a field of six candidates.^[8] Fletcher won with 60.3 per cent of the vote.^[9]

During Fletcher's second term, Fletcher served as the chair of the Parks and Environment Committee, where she spearheaded the City of Toronto's Climate Change, Clean Air and Sustainable Energy Action Plan and Climate Change Adaptation Strategy, and the People, Dogs and Parks – Off-Leash Areas and Commercial Dog Walker Permit Policy. She was also a member of the Mayor David Miller Executive Committee. She also served on the boards of Toronto Public Health and the Toronto Community Housing Corporation, and she chaired the Aboriginal Committee and the Animal Services sub-committee.

Third term

In the 2010 municipal election, Fletcher increased her vote to narrowly beat former CityTV reporter Liz West by less than 2 per cent of the votes cast. West's campaign was buoyed by the support of mayoral candidate Rob Ford and his upsurge in the campaign that led to his election. The Globe and Mail reported that there was a strong desire for change in the ward that led to the close showing by West, who entered the race in mid-August. Third-place candidate Andrew James dropped out of the race and endorsed West prior to the election day.^[18] The Toronto and York Region Labour Council endorsed Fletcher and several other councillor and school trustee candidates.^[19]

Fourth term

Fletcher was re-elected in the 2014 municipal election, once again beating West and four other candidates.^[20]

Fifth term

Fletcher was re-elected in the 2018 municipal election, running in the newly created Ward 14, which includes much of her old ward. She ran against fellow councillor Mary Fragdakis.^[21]