[2] Ballard was a journalist with the Newmarket Era, the Aurora Banner, the Orillia Packet and Times, Canadian Press and the Toronto Star.

Ballard was presented with an honorary lifetime member award by Speaker of the Ontario Legislature, Michael A.

Ballard was elected as a town councillor in Aurora in 2010[4] and vacated his council seat before finishing a full term.

After the resignation of Glen Murray as Minister of Environment and Climate Change on July 31, 2017, Ballard was appointed his successor by Premier Kathleen Wynne.

Ballard's loss was part of a weak showing by the Ontario Liberals who retained only 7 seats and lost official party status.