Jaye Robinson | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Robinson in 2010 | |
| Chair of theToronto Transit Commission | |
| In office December 13, 2018 – November 23, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Josh Colle |
| Succeeded by | Jon Burnside |
| Chair of Public Works and Infrastructure Committee | |
| In office December 4, 2014 – December 12, 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Denzil Minnan-Wong |
| Succeeded by | Committee dissolved |
| Toronto City Councillor forWard 15 Don Valley West | |
| In office December 1, 2018 – May 16, 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Ward created |
| Succeeded by | Rachel Chernos Lin |
| Toronto City Councillor for Ward 25 Don Valley West | |
| In office December 1, 2010 – December 1, 2018 | |
| Preceded by | Cliff Jenkins |
| Succeeded by | Ward dissolved |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Janet Joy Robinson (1962-12-07)December 7, 1962 Orangeville, Ontario, Canada |
| Died | May 16, 2024(2024-05-16) (aged 61) |
| Spouse | William Crossland |
Janet Joy "Jaye" Robinson (December 7, 1962 – May 16, 2024) was a Canadian politician who served as a member of theToronto City Council from 2010 to 2024. She was the chair of theToronto Transit Commission (TTC) from 2018 to 2022. Robinson representedWard 15 Don Valley West. She died in office on May 16, 2024.
Robinson was born inOrangeville, Ontario on December 7, 1962 to John “Jake” and Shirley Robinson (née Jackson).[1] Her parents named herJanet Joy but she went byJaye.[1] She was a fourth-generation Torontonian;[2] her great-grandfather, John R. (Black Jack) Robinson,[3] was editor of theToronto Telegram from 1888 to 1928.[4] Robinson’s grand aunt wasToronto Telegram political columnist,Judith Robinson.[5] She spent 20 years working for theCity of Toronto, including as the director of events with the Economic Development and Culture Division, where she helped to organizeNuit Blanche.[2]
Robinson ran for councillor in Ward 25 in the2003 city council election against the incumbentCliff Jenkins. The close race was marked by an election night error. The city website announced that, with all the ballots in, Jenkins had lost to Robinson by 30 votes.[6] However, only 90 per cent of the votes had actually been counted, and by the time the full count was completed two hours later, Jenkins had pulled into the lead by 80 votes and held on to win.[7]
Robinson ran again in Ward 25 in the2010 city council election. It was a rematch of the 2003 election. This time, she narrowly defeated Jenkins, one of several incumbents that lost their seats in this election cycle.[8]
Robinson was re-elected in the2014 city council election. During the 2014-2018 Council term she held several important Committee positions serving as Chair of the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee (PWIC) and as a member of the Executive Committee.[9] As PWIC’s chair she brought in and was in charge of the city’s first comprehensive road safety program known asVision Zero.[10]
Robinson ran again for Councillor for Toronto City Council in the2018 municipal election in the newly constituted Ward 15 Don Valley West, which has the same boundaries as the federal and provincial ridings with the same name. She defeated the incumbent councillor for former Ward 26,Jon Burnside.[11][12]
Following the election, MayorJohn Tory announced that Robinson would serve as the chair of the TTC,[13] a position she held until 2022 when Tory appointed her to lead the city's plan for the2026 FIFA World Cup.[14] She continued to lead this team afterOlivia Chow was elected in the2023 mayoral by-election.[15] Alex Bozikovic,The Globe and Mail's architecture critic, described Jaye Robinson as "furiously anti-development".[16]
Robinson was diagnosed with breast cancer and took a temporary leave of absence from council on October 29, 2019.[17] She returned to council meetings in November 2020, although her attendance was done remotely due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.[18] Robinson died – while still serving as a city councillor – on May 16, 2024, at the age of 61.[19][20] Following her death, City Council – on June 26, 2024 – approved the November 4, 2024 by-election to fill her seat.[21] Her son Sam Robinson ran in the by-election, and came in third.[22] He lost to school board trusteeRachel Chernos Lin.[23]
| 2022 Toronto municipal election, Ward 15 | ||
| Candidate | Vote | % |
|---|---|---|
| Jaye Robinson (X) | 16,142 | 74.22 |
| Sheena Sharp | 2,780 | 12.78 |
| David Ricci | 2,438 | 11.21 |
| Gregory Vaz | 389 | 1.79 |
| Source:City of Toronto[24] | ||
| 2018 Toronto municipal election, Ward 15 Don Valley West | ||
| Candidate | Votes | Vote share |
|---|---|---|
| Jaye Robinson | 16,219 | 49.22% |
| Jon Burnside | 14,440 | 43.82% |
| Tanweer Khan | 1,309 | 3.97% |
| Nikola Streker | 583 | 1.77% |
| Minh Le | 404 | 1.23% |
| Total | 32,955 | 100% |
| Source:City of Toronto[25] | ||
| 2014 Toronto election, Ward 25[26] | ||
| Candidate | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| Jaye Robinson | 19,066 | 83.24% |
| Richard Friedman | 1,891 | 8.26% |
| Tanya Hostler | 850 | 3.71% |
| Kim Diep | 564 | 2.46% |
| Nikola Streker | 534 | 2.33% |
| Total | 22,905 | 100.00% |
| 2010 Toronto election, Ward 25 | ||
| Candidate | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| Jaye Robinson | 9,258 | 45.49% |
| Cliff Jenkins (incumbent) | 8,756 | 43.02% |
| Joanne Dickins | 1,968 | 9.67% |
| Tanya Hostler | 368 | 1.80% |
| Total | 20,350 | 100% |
Official results.[27]