Toronto Coun. Jaye Robinson dies at 61

Toronto Coun. Jaye Robinson has died, her workplace mentioned in a press release Friday.

“We’re deeply saddened to announce that Councillor Jaye Robinson handed away final evening within the presence of her household,” the assertion mentioned. 

Robinson has represented the ward of Don Valley West since 2010.

“She was deeply devoted to the residents of Ward 15, a robust voice on metropolis council, and a beloved mentor to her workforce. We’re honoured to have had the chance to work together with her,” her workplace mentioned.

Robinson introduced in 2019 that she was present process remedy for breast most cancers and can be taking time away from work at Metropolis Corridor. She returned to work through the COVID-19 pandemic. Nonetheless, no explanation for loss of life has been introduced. She was 61 years previous.

She leaves behind her husband, three sons and a cocker spaniel, in response to her web site.

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow mentioned Toronto flags would fly at half-mast, and condolence books can be arrange in Robinson’s reminiscence at North York Civic Centre on Saturday and at Metropolis Corridor on Tuesday. There might be a presentation in her honour at metropolis council’s assembly on Wednesday, Chow mentioned.

“As council members and as a mayor, we miss her work. We miss her ardour in serving her communities and her dedication to supporting the humanities and tradition of this metropolis,” Chow informed reporters, flanked by a number of of her council colleagues.

“She’s executed phenomenal work and he or she is simply actually cherished.”

Throughout her tenure as a councillor, Robinson served on the govt committees led by former mayors Rob Ford and John Tory. She additionally served phrases as chair of each the Toronto Transit Fee (TTC) and the general public works committee, in addition to on the board of the Artwork Gallery of Ontario, and for a time headed Imaginative and prescient Zero, town’s initiative to eradicate highway deaths.

Most lately, she led a workforce of councillors chargeable for town’s preparations to host the FIFA World Cup in 2026.

Earlier than operating for workplace, Robinson labored for town for greater than 20 years as a senior supervisor in financial growth, in response to her profile on town’s web site. She labored on initiatives together with Nuit Blanche, Summerlicious and Winterlicious.

Councillors, former colleagues share condolences

Toronto councillors, Ontario Premier Doug Ford and others who labored with Robinson reacted with disappointment to the information of her loss of life.

Former Mayor John Tory mentioned Robinson was a “principled consultant.”

She “fought for the issues she believed in and extra importantly fought arduous for the individuals she represented at Metropolis Corridor,” Tory mentioned in a press release posted to X, former generally known as Twitter.

Tory mentioned she battled her prognosis with “grace and willpower.”

“She has been taken away from us too quickly. It’s by no means too late to say thanks for a life nicely lived and nice public service profession,” he mentioned.

“On behalf of our group, I want my most heartfelt condolences to the household and mates of Councillor Jaye Robinson, and to the residents of Don Valley West,” Coun. Josh Matlow mentioned on X.

“We are going to all the time be thankful for her service, and fervour, for our metropolis. I’ll miss her.”

Coun. Paul Ainslie despatched prayers and condolences to Robinson’s household and mates, calling her a “robust advocate for her group.”

Coun. Brad Bradford mentioned Robinson was a “expensive colleague” from whom he discovered loads.

“We spent quite a lot of time talking on the telephone over the previous yr. She represented her constituents fiercely to the very finish, and her voice might be missed at Council and throughout our metropolis,” Bradford mentioned on X.

Ford mentioned he was devastated by the information.

“She was a devoted public servant who I used to be lucky to work with at Metropolis Corridor and who was dedicated to the individuals she served in Don Valley West,” Ford mentioned. “My ideas and prayers are together with her household and family members as they grieve this horrible loss.”

Former Toronto councillor and present MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam mentioned Robinson cared “a lot for her group.” 

“Her dedication to public service was clear in each assembly and interplay. She was keen about increase a Toronto for everybody and might be dearly missed,” Wong-Tam mentioned.

Fireplace Chief Matthew Pegg expressed “deepest condolences” on behalf of Toronto Fireplace Companies.