Scarborough city councillor Cynthia Lai dies mere days before Oct. 24 municipal election

Toronto city councillor Cynthia Lai has died, her re-election campaign announced in a statement on Friday.

Her death comes just days before the municipal election on Oct. 24, in which she was running to retain her seat.

"It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Councillor Cynthia Lai, Ward 23, Scarborough North this afternoon. She was surrounded by family at the hospital," the statement said.

Lai, who immigrated to Canada from Hong Kong in the 1970s,was first elected in 2018and wasrunning for re-election in Monday's municipal election against three other candidates.

The statement didn't include a cause of death and her family has asked for privacy.

'A community leader'

Lai was in hospital during the last council meeting in September, however, a representative from her office said the councillor was doing well when CBC Toronto inquired about her health two weeks later.

She worked in real estate before getting into municipal politics. Shewas thefirst Chinese-Canadian president of theToronto Real Estate Board (TRREB)and served on theReal Estate Council of Ontario, according to her biography on the city website.

In a statement Friday night,TRREB president Kevin Crigger said Lai was "a community leader" who "championed the causes of her constituents and delivered services to residents that reflected the demographic make-up of her ward."

Crigger said Lai will be remembered as an accomplished realtor, a fierce advocate for her community and a champion of increasing women's participation in municipal government.

Election for council seat willgo ahead

Under subsection 39(a) of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 (MEA), if a certified candidate for an office dies and another candidate would not be elected by acclamation as a result, then the election shall proceed as if the candidate had not been nominated.

Given there are three other candidates running for the council seat in Ward 23, Scarborough North, the election for that office willtake place as planned on Monday, Oct.24, the city says.

In a statement Friday night, the city said the ballots for election day have already been printed and cannot be changed in time.

"On election day, notice of the candidate's death will be made available to the Scarborough North,Ward 23's approximately 61,100 voters at all 35 voting places," the statement from the city said.

"Any votes cast for the candidate on election day, as well as those already cast during the advance vote and through mail-in voting, will not be counted. Eligible voters can only vote once. There is no provision in the MEA for voters who have already cast a ballot through mail-in ballot or advance voting for the candidate to change their vote."

Lai served with 'elegance and distinction,' Tory says

Her council colleagues expressed sadness at the news of her death.

In a statement, Mayor John Tory said he was shocked by the news.

"For the last four years, Cynthia represented the people of Ward 23, Scarborough North with such elegance and distinction," Tory said.

"She was such a friendly and warm presence at city hall and I know I speak for her city council colleagues when I say she will be deeply missed."

Meanwhile, Tory says the Toronto signhas been dimmed Friday night inhonour of Lai's memory.

Tributes comingin from Lai's colleagues

Tributes from Lai'scouncil colleagues and friends have been appearingonsocial media.

Coun. Josh Matlow, who represents Ward 12, Toronto-St. Paul's, also expressed his condolences to her family.

"Cynthia dedicated herself to her community, and her service will always be remembered," Matlow said on Twitter.

Former city councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam tweeted,"I'm deeply saddened by the passing of my friend, Cynthia Lai."

"Although we voted differently, Cynthia &I clicked. Bothimmigrants & ESL speakers. She was generous and loving. We calledeach other sisters. Big & little. Cynthia loved her family &community. She will be missed."

Coun. Brad Bradford also called Lai a friend andoffered condolences to her family.

"Having visited her in Scarborough North, it was clear she wasbeloved by her constituents and represented them in a genuine andauthentic way. She will be missed," he tweeted.

'Everybody in Scarborough is saddened,' McKelvie says

Coun. Jennifer McKelvie, who represents Ward 25, Scarborough-Rouge Park and was elected tocity council the same year as Lai, said her late colleague always made her smile.

"I think everybody in Scarborough is saddened to hear the news of our friend and colleague councillor Cynthia Lai tonight," McKelvie told CBC Toronto.

"Certainly all of our thoughts and warm feelings are being directed towards her family, her friends, her supporters and her campaign team," she added.

Ontario Premier Doug Fordalso paid tribute to Lai.

"I'm so saddened to learn about Councillor Cynthia Lai's passing," he wrote on Twitter.

"My thoughts are with her friends, family and the constituents she served."