Jamaal Myers | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Chair of theToronto Transit Commission | |
| Assumed office August 11, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Jon Burnside |
| Toronto City Councillor forWard 23 Scarborough North | |
| Assumed office November 15, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Cynthia Lai |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Jamaal Michael Anthony Myers 1982 or 1983 (age 41–42) Scarborough,Ontario,Canada |
| Education | University of Western Ontario (BA) London School of Economics (MSc) New York University (JD) |
| Occupation |
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| Website | www |
Jamaal Michael Anthony Myers (born 1982 or 1983) is a Canadian lawyer and politician who has been the chair of theToronto Transit Commission (TTC) since August 11, 2023. Myers has representedWard 23 Scarborough North onToronto City Council since November 15, 2022. Before entering politics, he worked as a corporate lawyer.
Jamaal Michael Anthony Myers[1] was born in 1982 or 1983[2] inScarborough to Jamaican parents and raised inToronto Community Housing.[3]
He attended theUniversity of Western Ontario, graduating in 2006 with a bachelor's inpolitical science, before completing a master's incomparative politics and research methodology at theLondon School of Economics in 2007. Myers earned a law degree from theNew York University School of Law in 2013.[4]
Myers was previously employed atTD Bank and was promoted to senior legal counsel in 2020, with his work focusing onenvironmental, social and corporate governance (ESG).[5]
He served as vice-chair of TAIBU Community Health Center and director of the Scarborough Business Association. Moreover, he was a volunteer with HousingNowTO and Scarborough Transit Action.[6][7]
Myers was elected toToronto City Council during the2022 Toronto municipal election, replacing the late incumbentCynthia Lai who died days before the municipal election on October 21, 2022.[8] Due to her death, Lai's votes were not counted.[9]
Myers ran on a platform of affordable housing, easier access to healthcare, increased funding and more buses for theToronto Transit Commission (TTC) in wake of theLine 3 Scarborough closure, as well as maintaining the ActiveTO program.[10][7][11] He was endorsed by theToronto Star,Toronto & York Region Labour Council, and Progress Toronto.[6][12][13]
Myers began his first term on council by releasing a statement alongside other councillors opposing theBetter Municipal Governance Act, 2022, which is a controversial provincial legislation which would give the mayors of Toronto and Ottawa the power to pass local bylaws with only a third of city council’s support.[14]
Myers was appointed as chair of theToronto Transit Commission (TTC) Board on August 11, 2023, by MayorOlivia Chow.[15]
| Candidate | Vote | % |
|---|---|---|
| Jamaal Myers | 5,315 | 51.09 |
| Phillip Francis | 2,755 | 26.48 |
| Virginia Jones | 2,333 | 22.43 |
| Cynthia Lai[a] | N/A | N/A |
| Total | 10,403 | 100% |
| Source:City of Toronto[16] | ||