News Release
December 13, 2021

On behalf of the City of Toronto and City Council, Mayor John Tory offers his condolences on the death of former Toronto Mayor Mel Lastman — the 62nd Mayor of Toronto.

Mel Lastman was first elected to the North York Board of Control in 1969 and was elected as the third Mayor of North York in 1972 — a position he held for 25 years and a record 10 terms. He also served on Metro Toronto Council until 1997.

Mel Lastman was elected the first mayor of the amalgamated City of Toronto in 1998. He was re-elected in 2000, serving two terms before announcing his retirement from politics ahead of the 2003 election. As Mayor, Mr. Lastman formed Canada’s first mayor’s committees on child abuse, on drinking and driving, on race relations and on abuse of the elderly. Also, during his mayoralty, he received Pope John Paul II for World Youth Day, which was held in Toronto in 2002.

Flags have been lowered and will remain at half-mast from now until later this evening at City Hall, North York Civic Centre, East York Civic Centre, Etobicoke Civic Centre, York Civic Centre, Scarborough Civic Centre,, as well as Metro Hall.  A presentation will be made in his honour at City Council on Wednesday, December 15.

A condolence book will be available to sign from 12 to 6 p.m., at City Hall starting today and at North York Civic Centre starting tomorrow, Tuesday, December 14. The books will remain available until end of day on Thursday, December 16. COVID-19 precautions will be in place. More information, as well as a link to an online condolence book, is available on the City’s website.

Quote:

“We are greatly saddened by the death of Mayor Mel Lastman, Toronto’s first Megacity Mayor. Our thoughts continue to be with Mayor Lastman’s family and friends at this time. He was a committed Mayor who worked tirelessly to make sure Toronto moved forward as one united city and into the 21st century. I want to thank members of the public for signing the condolence book – in-person or online – to pay tribute to Mayor Lastman. He was a kind, good-hearted man with a larger-than-life personality and he will be missed.”

– Mayor John Tory

Toronto is home to more than 2.9 million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture and innovation, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit the City’s website or follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.

Media contact: Media Relations, media@toronto.ca