Council loves Lucy: Troisi appointed to replace late Pam McConnell

Toronto city council has appointed Lucy Troisi as the new councillor for Ward 28, Toronto-Centre Rosedale, after she received the majority of votes on Thursday.

Troisi replaces the late Pam McConnell, who passed away suddenly in July.

“It’s exciting,” Troisi said following her appointment. “Pam was a real role model for me. I worked a long time with Pam, and both of us had similar agendas.

Council chose to appoint a new councillor rather than stage a costly byelection.

Troisi is familiar with city hall. She served as manager of Parks, Forestry & Recreation from 1996 to 2005, followed by a six-year stint as manager of Community Engagement.

“Ward 28 has been my life,” she told CityNews before being appointed. “I was born and raised in Regent Park. I’ve either lived, worked or volunteered in the ward my entire life.

“I (was) a child that grew up in a poverty, so I know what the true meaning is to benefit from all the programs and services that city hall provides, as well as all sorts of great agencies in the neighbourhood.”

Troisi beat out the other front-runner in the race, Michael Creek, who was once homeless.

Mayor John Tory voted for Creek, who currently serves as director of Strategic Initiatives at Working for Change, an organization that provides education and work opportunities for people affected by mental illness and addiction.

Budget Chief Gary Crawford was one of Troisi’s most vocal supporters.

“She has worked and lived and breathed the ward her entire life,” Crawford told CityNews earlier in the week.

“She knows the ward incredibly well and she’s worked a lot with the late Pam McConnell on many, many initiatives that are close to Pam’s heart, and she’s committed to continuing that legacy.”