Toronto city councillor Cynthia Lai has died, her re-election campaign announced in a statement on Friday.
“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 has represented the ward since she was first elected in 2014. Prior to that, she worked in real estate.
She was the first Chinese-Canadian president of the Toronto Real Estate Board and served on the Real Estate Council of Ontario, according to her biography on the city website.
In a statement, Mayor John Tory said he was shocked by the news and expressed condolences to her friends and family.
“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.”
More to come.