Toronto city councillor Jaye Robinson dies

Toronto city councillor Jaye Robinson has died.

A statement issued by her office said Robinson died Thursday night in the presence of her family.

Robinson was first elected in 2010 and represented Don Valley West for nearly 14 years.

“During her time at city hall, Jaye proudly served in key leadership roles, including as chair of the Toronto Transit Commission and chair of the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee,” the statement said.

“She was deeply dedicated to the residents of Ward 15, a strong voice on city council and a beloved mentor to her team. We are honoured to have had the opportunity to work with her.”

A celebration of life will be held, and more information will be released in the coming days, the statement said.

Before she ran for office, Robinson was the director of special events for the City of Toronto.

“Jaye was a dedicated public servant who leaves a lasting legacy in Toronto, the city she loved,” the statement said.

“She will be deeply missed by her many friends and colleagues at city hall.”

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In 2019, Robinson said she would be taking time away from city hall to focus on her health after being diagnosed with breast cancer, but a cause of death has not been revealed.

In a statement posted to X, Mayor Olivia Chow said flags at city hall and civic centres will be at half-mast, and the Toronto sign will be dimmed this evening in honour of Robinson.

Condolence books will be placed at the North York Civic Centre on Saturday, and at city hall on Tuesday.

“She was a dedicated public servant who cared deeply about her constituents and Toronto. Her voice will be dearly missed,” Chow said.

Chow’s predecessor, John Tory, said in his own statement he knew Robinson for more than 20 years and added that “she has been taken from us way too soon.”

“She was a principled representative who fought for the things she believed in and more importantly, fought hard for the people she represented at city hall,” Tory said on X.

“And in the past few years, she fought a determined fight against cancer and did it with grace and determination….

“It is never too late to say thank you for a life well lived and (a) great public service career.”

Tory also have his condolences to Robinson’s family.

— with files from Aaron D’Andrea