September 23, 2003

Deputy Mayor Case Ootes

Mel Lastman as the first Mayor of the amalgamated City of Toronto used his unique style of leadership, his enormous enthusiasm and passion to work for a better life for our residents and put Totonto on the world's stage.

Mr. Mayor you twinned us with other leading world cities, made Toronto a welcome stage for international art and entertainment, and created a home for all those who visited-including the thousands of pilgrims who embraced Toronto during the never to be forgotten Papal visit in the summer of 2002.

As the helm of the economic engine of this Country you brought together the many voices of council. Rarely an easy task. You reminded us that focusing on economic development could help create the capital and infrastructure that Toronto needs to continue its success. You understood that lobbying other governments intent on downloading and reducing programs and infrastructure was also part of bringing council together. With you at the helm we had one collective voice and we also had the greatest impact as evidenced by the support we received from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities as well as the business community.

Despite the heads of governments you were battling or the global stage on which you performed you never lost sight of the goal-to make Toronto the best city for our 2.5 million residents. Programs under your leadership were drafted to be equitable and accessible to all-there was no one who should have a recreation program or be offered a service at the expense of another resident. You held the vision of the home that Toronto should be.

Also important to you Mr Mayor was ensuring that everyone felt safe-to play in the parks, walk through their neighborhood during the day or at night-take affordable transit, be supported by ambulance and fire services, world-class public health and social services, the list goes on. You never forgot that Toronto was more than a city-it is the place we call home.

You had an honour that is very rare in this world. You led a local government in one form or another for 34 years. City government is the government that most impacts the lives of our residents. The City of Toronto is the largest, most ethnically diverse and yes, we'll be biased, the best city in the world.

Mr. Mayor you never shied away from anything and you often cause controversy-but no one ever questioned your motive-to make Toronto the best that it could be-for all those who lived and played here, or for those just passing through.

Mr Mayor we laughed with you and because of you; you helped us focus through the passion and conviction with which you argued for the betterment of daily life in Toronto and you helped us understand that there is nobody that cared more than you.

I was fortunate to be chosen by you and by my fellow councillors to serve as your Deputy for the past 6 years. I thank you and I thank my colleagues for that honour and privilege. You and I, Mr. Mayor, shared many conversations, discussed many ideas and issues and sometimes we disagreed. But we always had and continue to have a mutual respect for one another. It was a fantastic 6 years. I am frequently asked, "what is it like to work with Mel?"

My answer:

Sometimes it is frustrating, sometimes it satisfying, sometimes it is inspiring, most times it is rewarding but it is always exciting and exhilarating and never ever dull.

Thank you Mr. Mayor for your devotion to this great city. You can now make your other passion-Mrs Lastman your priority. We wish you and Mrs Lastman many happy years together. I know that I speak for all Torontonians when I say - We were fortunate to have you for so many years and you'll never be far from our memory and our hearts.