Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow announced a list of key committee appointments on Thursday, just over six weeks after she was elected to the top job.
In a letter to council, Chow outlined her intentions to improve affordability, rectify the housing crisis, provide better public services, including faster and more reliable transit across every inch of the city, and manage the city’s dire fiscal situation.
Chow stated that her decisions were based on a thorough analysis of councils’ priorities, quoting Elder Duke Redbird’s advice to her. “Take the time, and with patience, choose the best materials to build your canoe,” he said.
Appointed committee members
Deputy Mayors
- Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik
- Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie, McKelvie served as interim mayor after former mayor John Tory resigned earlier this year in Feb. She will continue in her role as a representative for Scarborough.
- Deputy Mayor Amber Morley
- Deputy Mayor Mike Colle
Housing
- Councillor Gord Perks – Chair of the Planning and Housing Committee.
- Councillor Brad Bradford – Vice Chair of the Planning and Housing Committee.
- Councillor Paula Fletcher – Chow’s designate at the Toronto Community Housing Corporation and CreateTO to help build and maintain affordable housing.
- Councillor Vincent Crisanti – Chow’s designate on the Toronto Seniors Housing Corporation.
Public Transit
- Councillor Jamaal Myers -Myers, who has a background in corporate law, will oversee TTC contracts to ensure they are delivered on time and on budget.
- Councillor Josh Matlow has been appointed to offer expert advice on effective ways to improve Toronto’s transportation system.
New Perspectives on Community Safety
- Councillor Amber Morley – Toronto Police Services Board.
- Councillor Lily Cheng – Toronto Police Services Board.
- Councillor Jon Burnside – Toronto Police Services Board. Burnside is a former police officer committed to transformative community policing.
Budgeting
- Councillor Shelley Carroll – Chair of the Budget Committee.
Investing in Communities, Good Jobs and Affordability
- Councillor Alejandra Bravo – Chair of the Economic and Community Development Committee
- Councillor Shelley Carroll – Vice Chair of the Economic and Community Development Committee
- Councillor Chris Moise – Economic and Community Development Committee, and provide leadership as Chair of the Confronting Anti-Black Racism and the 2SLGBTQ+ Advisory Committees.
Chow also announced the appointment of Councillor Brad Bradford and Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie to the Board of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, to “press the case for a New Deal for Cities.” Councillor Paul Ainslie and Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik will join as alternates, Chow said in her letter.
Councillor Stephen Holyday will work with Councillors Paul Ainslie, Lily Cheng, Jaye Robinson and Gord Perks to “improve city services” and help the city better respond to the needs of Torontonians.
Councillor James Pasternak will oversee the “important” and “urgent” task of combating hate in the city.
With a wealth of experience as Ontario’s Environmental Commissioner, Councillor Dianne Saxe has been appointed to tackle problems relating to the environment.
Frances Nunziata will continue in her role as speaker, and Fletcher will inherit the role of Deputy Speaker.
McKelvie and Colle will continue as Chair and Vice Chair of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee.
Ainslie will remain as Chair of the General Government Committee, and an aid in supporting Toronto’s “vibrant night culture” as the city’s “Night Economy Champion.”
Finally, Councillor Jaye Robinson will lead a team of councillors including Nick Mantas, Mike Colle, Michael Thompson, Ausma Malik and Anthony Perruzza to ensure the success of hosting FIFA 2023.
