Toronto mourns passing of former Mayor Mel Lastman
Mayor Tory offers condolences on the death of Toronto’s first mega-city mayor
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.
“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,” said Mayor John Tory.
Mel Lastman was born and raised in Toronto, spending much of his time in the Kensington Market area. Prior to entering politics he worked in private business, opening his first furniture and appliance store in 1955. That one store turned into 40 locations across Canada. He sold the business in 1975 to focus on serving the City of North York and to run in an Ontario election.
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.
The funeral took place on December 13.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that if desired, donations can be made to the Sick Kids Foundation.
SOURCE City of Toronto
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