First Epp was successful in local politics, serving as an
alderman in
Waterloo from 1968 to 1974, and two terms as the city's mayor from 1975 to 1977. Epp ran for the
House of Commons of Canada in the
1968 federal election as a
Liberal candidate in the riding of
Waterloo, finishing second to
Max Saltsman of the
NDP in a tight, three-way race. Starting in
1977, he was elected four times to the Ontario legislature, representing the constituency of
Waterloo North, and winning each time by a healthy margin. Epp was re-elected in
1981, and again in
1985. The Liberals formed a minority government and Epp served as
parliamentary assistant to the
treasurer from 1985 to 1987. Epp was re-elected in
1987, defeating future
Progressive Conservative cabinet minister Elizabeth Witmer. He served as chairman of the Liberal caucus from 1985 to 1987 and retired from the legislature in 1990. In 1996, he supported
Dalton McGuinty's successful bid to lead the
Ontario Liberal Party. Re-entering politics after a 13-year break, Epp was easily elected to a third term as mayor of
Waterloo in November 2003, receiving double the number of votes cast for incumbent
Lynne Woolstencroft. During his term, he helped oversee the continuing redevelopment of Waterloo Square, initiated by Mayor Joan McKinnon (1997–2000) and a multimillion-dollar library/YMCA project on
University of Waterloo lands on the west side of the city. This 98 year land lease included lands which would favour multiple sports fields to serve primarily the youth of Waterloo. He ran for re-election in November 2006, but was defeated by political newcomer
Brenda Halloran. ==References==