Under the dynamic leadership of Mayor Mel Lastman, the new City of Toronto has achieved more in three short years than any other municipality in North America. Since the amalgamation of seven municipal governments, Toronto has become the largest city in Canada, the fifth largest in North America and world acclaimed for its spirit and cultural diversity. All this happened under the non-stop style and leadership of Mel Lastman who instituted change after change to make the new City work and take shape as the most important municipality in Canada – a city responsible for 20 per cent of the country’s economy.
Among his many accomplishments during the past three years, Mayor Lastman promised and delivered: a three-year freeze on City taxes while maintaining services and despite crushing new financial burdens on the new City; more than 140,000 new jobs over three years; safer streets through community action policing, a new police helicopter and more uniformed front-line officers. The mayor became a tireless fighter for the homeless and prompted the federal government to commit $754 million to new hostels and programs to help the homeless. The holder of many honours, Mayor Lastman received one of his highest awards in June, 2000, when he was named Humanitarian of the Year by the Beth Sholom Brotherhood.
Fresh from his visit to the Sydney Olympics, Mayor Lastman will talk about his vision for Toronto beyond 2000.
