The first female mayor of Toronto has died. June Rowlands was 93. Bruce Rowlands said his mother died on Thursday night at a long-term care facility. Rowlands was elected mayor in 1991 and served until 1994. Her term as mayor was the culmination of a long career in municipal politics that started when she was elected to city council in 1976.
During her time on council she served as the city's budget chief and was the first woman to head the Toronto Transit Commission and the Metropolitan Toronto Police Commission. She also made her mark fighting for affordable housing and trying to preserve the city's ravines and historical neighbourhoods.
Bruce Rowlands said his mother was a humble person who wanted to serve her community. "She had a burning desire to make a contribution," he said in an interview.
Toronto Mayor John Tory expressed his condolences to Rowlands' family, noting her involvement with the community stretched back to the 1950s.
"She helped build this city and blazed a trail as the first woman to serve as a TTC commissioner, budget chief, executive committee member, chair of the Metropolitan Toronto Police Commission and mayor," he said.
"She was a strong representative of her North Toronto community and it is fitting that Davisville Park was renamed June Rowlands Park in 2004 to honour her work," Tory added.
Condolences poured in on Twitter from local politicians.
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