Toronto councilor Cynthia Lai has died, her re-election campaign announced in a statement Friday.
“It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of Councilor Cynthia Lai, Ward 23, Scarborough North, this afternoon. She was surrounded by family in hospital,” the statement said.
Lai, who immigrated to Canada from Hong Kong in the 1970s, was first elected in 2018 and ran for re-election in Monday’s municipal election against three other candidates.
“Counselor Lai [represented] one of the city’s most diverse multicultural neighborhoods,” the statement said. “She championed the causes of her constituents and provided services to residents that reflected the demographic makeup of the neighborhood.”
The statement did not include a cause of death and his family has asked for privacy.
Lai was in hospital during the last council meeting in September, but a representative from his office said the councilor was doing well when CBC Toronto asked about his health two weeks later.
He worked in the real estate sector before entering municipal politics. She was the first Chinese-Canadian chairwoman of the Toronto Real Estate Board and served on the Real Estate Council of Ontario, according to her biography on the city’s website.
Lai served with “elegance and distinction,” says Tory
His colleagues on the council expressed their sadness at the news of his death.
In a statement, Mayor John Tory said he was shocked by the news.
“Over the past four years, Cynthia represented the people of Ward 23, Scarborough North with such grace and distinction, Tory said.
“She was such a kind and warm presence at the town hall and I know I speak for her fellow councilors when I say she will be sorely missed.”
Coun. Josh Matlow, who represents Ward 12, Toronto-St. Paul’s, also expressed his condolences to his family.
“Cynthia was dedicated to her community and her service will always be remembered,” Matlow said on Twitter.