A 45-year resident of Oshawa, Roger has spent the past 22 years as a Ward 3 resident.
In 2010, Roger successfully ran for Oshawa City Council, winning overwhelmingly in an 18-person, city-wide race.
Serving until 2014, he quickly earned a reputation as a fiscal hawk who consistently evaluated whether city initiatives aligned with the core services residents expected and deserved.
During his term, Roger served as Chair of the Corporate Services Committee, Vice Chair of the Finance Committee, and as council's representative on the Oshawa Public Library Board.
He chose not to run again in 2014, opting instead to spend more time with his family which, at the time, included five young grandchildren.
His impactful tenure did not go unnoticed. In 2014, Oshawa This Week reported: "In 2010, Coun. Bouma received more votes than any other local councillor, with more than 12,000 voters supporting him. In his time on council, he was known for keeping his eye firmly on the budget."
A track record of volunteer and community service
Beyond his public service, Roger is a longtime and highly respected real estate broker with over 37 years of experience. Today, he works alongside his son and business partner, Mike, promoting Oshawa as an exceptional place to live, work, and play.
As the Managing Broker of their family team, The Bouma Group at RE/MAX JAZZ Inc., Brokerage, they consistently rank in the top 1% of REALTORS® in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) for total annual home sales.
Since stepping away from council in 2014, Roger has remained deeply engaged in both the local and broader real estate communities. His extensive leadership roles include serving as a Director and President of the Durham Region Association of REALTORS®, and as a Director and Chair of The Ontario REALTORS® Care Foundation.
He has also served the Central Lakes Association of REALTORS® as Chair of Professional Standards, Mediator, and most recently, as their Parliamentarian. Throughout these roles, Roger has proudly represented both associations at Queen's Park and Parliament Hill, advocating for policies that champion affordable homeownership.
Roger’s commitment to community extended back into civic life during the pandemic. In 2020 and 2021, he served as a member of the Mayor’s Taskforce, advising council on critical policy changes to support the local business community and the public through the challenges of COVID-19.
Philanthropy is also a cornerstone of Roger’s life, reflecting a multi-generational family tradition of giving back. He actively supports vital local charities and organizations, including the Lakeridge Health Oshawa Foundation, Hearth Place, The Denise House, Gate 316, The Refuge Youth Outreach Centre, and Durham Christian Homes, among others.
Outside of his professional and community work, Roger is an avid traveler and he stays active through walking, cycling, and underwater exploration as a PADI-certified Rescue Diver. Roger shares his life with his wife, Laura, their large, blended family of six grown children and their spouses, 11 grandchildren, and their dog, Maisie.
Why now?
When Roger left council in 2014, it was always with the firm intention to return.
Twelve years later, the timing is finally right. His grandchildren are older, with a few now in their teens and Mike Bouma is more than able to take the lead in their family business.
He is ready to bring his proven financial stewardship back to city hall, firmly believing that you deserve a council that remembers every dollar they spend is a dollar that you first earned, and then entrusted to them to spend wisely.