Lai was in the hospital during the last council meeting in September, however, a representative from her office said the councilor was doing well when CBC Toronto inquired about her health two weeks later.
She worked in real estate before getting into municipal politics. She was the first Chinese-Canadian president of the Toronto Real Estate Board (TRREB) and served on the Real Estate Council of Ontario, according to her biography on the city website.
Cynthia Lai Obituary
“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Councillor Cynthia Lai, Ward 23, Scarborough North this afternoon,” a statement emailed to Global News read. “She was surrounded by family at the hospital.”
Her campaign said Lai represented one of the “most diverse multicultural wards in the city.” “She championed the causes of her constituents and delivered services to residents that reflected the demographic make-up of the ward,” the statement.
Her death has brought a lot of sadness.