Toronto city councillor Cynthia Lai dies at age 68

Scarborough North city councillor Cynthia Lai has died at the age of 68, the City of Toronto confirms.

Lai had been suffering from gallbladder cancer and was recently hospitalized.

Leading up to her untimely death, Lai had been campaigning for re-election in Ward 23.

In a statement, Mayor John Tory said he was “so saddened” to learn of her death.

“She was a good person who was a cheerful optimist while at the same time being professional, respectful and good at whatever she did. I am proud to have had the opportunity to serve with her,” Tory said.

“For the last four years, Cynthia represented the people of Ward 23 Scarborough North with such elegance and distinction,” he added. “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.”

We have dimmed the Toronto Sign tonight to honour the memory of Councillor Cynthia Lai. We continue to extend condolences to Cynthia’s family and friends. She will be missed by all those who knew her. pic.twitter.com/OrpF2RQ6Nq

— John Tory (@TorontosMayor) October 21, 2022

Lai’s bio on the City’s website said she “enjoyed an accomplished real estate career both in sales and in management” before she was elected to city council in 2018.

Tory noted that she was the first Chinese-Canadian woman elected to the position of President of the Toronto Real Estate Board.

She was also involved in numerous fundraising and volunteering efforts with a variety of organizations.

“I know she was always so proud of her heritage, of her family, her achievements in business and her tremendous work for the community as a volunteer for many charitable causes and in politics,” Tory said.

Lai moved to Toronto from Hong Kong in the 70s.

She’s survived by her husband C.K. Fung and two children, Derrick and Darren Fung.

Tory said flags at City Hall, Metro Hall and the Toronto civic centres, including the Scarborough Civic Centre, will be lowered to half-mast in her honour.

The iconic Toronto sign at City Hall has also been dimmed.

How will Lai’s death affect Ward 23 race?

In a release Friday night following news of Lai’s death, the City of Toronto said the election in Ward 23 will proceed.

The City quoted a subsection of the Municipal Elections Act (MEA), which states: “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 Scarborough North – Ward 23 councillor, the election for that office will continue to take place on Monday, October 24.”

The City notes that the ballots for election day have already been printed and can’t be changed in time for Monday’s election.

“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.

“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.”

If you’ve already voted, you won’t have the option to vote again.

“Eligible voters can only vote once,” the City said. “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.”