He ran for the Brantford City Council in 1982 on a Labour Council/New Democratic Party ticket and finished third in the second ward.
He did not have formal ministerial responsibilities, and his duties included represented the Rae government at events such as pre-budgetary consultations.
Three days earlier, Ward had told a local reporter that Brantford residents should not be worried about changes to the plan.
[7] Ward later confronted protesters who opposed the policy change and defended what he described as a "tough expenditures decision.
"[8] The New Democratic Party was defeated in the 1995 provincial election, and Ward finished third against Progressive Conservative candidate Ron Johnson in Brantford.