Jaye Robinson#Jaye Robinson Park
{{Short description|Canadian municipal politician (1962–2024)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Jaye Robinson
| image = Jaye Robinson portrait, 2010 (S2311 fl3159 it0001).jpg
| caption = Robinson in 2010
| office = Chair of the Toronto Transit Commission
| term_start = December 13, 2018
| term_end = November 23, 2022
| predecessor = Josh Colle
| successor = Jon Burnside
| office1 = Chair of Public Works
and Infrastructure Committee
| term_start1 = December 4, 2014
| term_end1 = December 12, 2019
| predecessor1 = Denzil Minnan-Wong
| successor1 = Committee dissolved
| office2 = Toronto City Councillor
for Ward 15 Don Valley West
| term_start2 = December 1, 2018
| term_end2 = May 16, 2024
| predecessor2 = Ward created
| successor2 = Rachel Chernos Lin
| office3 = Toronto City Councillor
for Ward 25 Don Valley West
| term_start3 = December 1, 2010
| term_end3 = December 1, 2018
| predecessor3 = Cliff Jenkins
| successor3 = Ward dissolved
| birth_name=Janet Joy Robinson
| birth_date = {{birth date|1962|12|7}}
| birth_place = Orangeville, Ontario, Canada
| death_date = {{death date and age|2024|5|16|1962|12|7}}
| death_place =
| residence =
| occupation =
| spouse = William Crossland
}}
Janet Joy "Jaye" Robinson (December 7, 1962 – May 16, 2024) was a Canadian politician who served as a member of the Toronto City Council from 2010 to 2024. She was the chair of the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) from 2018 to 2022. Robinson represented Ward 15 Don Valley West. She died in office on May 16, 2024.
Background
Robinson was born in Orangeville, Ontario on December 7, 1962 to John “Jake” and Shirley Robinson (née Jackson).
{{cite web
| title = Councillor Jaye Robinson
| url = https://www.jayerobinson.ca
| access-date = May 22, 2024
| location = Toronto
| year = 2024
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240523053228/https://www.jayerobinson.ca/
| archive-date = May 23, 2024
| url-status = live
}} Her parents named her Janet Joy but she went by Jaye. She was a fourth-generation Torontonian;{{Cite news
| last1 = Thomas
| first1 = Nicki
| title = City hall rookies 2010: Jaye Robinson
| work = Toronto Star
| date = 24 November 2010
| url = https://www.thestar.com/news/city_hall/2010/11/24/city_hall_rookies_2010_jaye_robinson.html
| access-date = 17 May 2024
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171026214631/https://www.thestar.com/news/city_hall/2010/11/24/city_hall_rookies_2010_jaye_robinson.html
| archive-date = 26 October 2017
| url-status = live
}} her great-grandfather, John R. (Black Jack) Robinson,{{cite news |title=John Robinson Obituary |url=https://www.legacy.com/ca/obituaries/theglobeandmail/name/john-robinson-obituary?id=41512074 |access-date=May 17, 2024 |work= The Globe and Mail |date=August 11, 2012 |archive-date=May 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240517222720/https://www.legacy.com/ca/obituaries/theglobeandmail/name/john-robinson-obituary?id=41512074 |url-status=live }} was editor of the Toronto Telegram from 1888 to 1928.
{{cite news
| author = CP Staff
| title = J.R. Robinson, Noted Editor, Dies in Sleep
| work = The Gazette
| date = 29 September 1928
| location = Montreal
| page = 1
| agency = The Canadian Press
| url = https://www.newspapers.com/image/419600584/
| access-date = 23 May 2024
| url-access = subscription
| via = Newspapers.com
}} Robinson’s grand aunt was Toronto Telegram political columnist, Judith Robinson.
{{cite news
| author = CP Staff
| title = Award-Winning Political Columnist Dies Suddenly
| work = The StarPhoenix
| date = 18 December 1961
| location = Saskatoon
| page = 9
| agency = The Canadian Press
| url = https://www.newspapers.com/image/508962487/
| access-date = 23 May 2024
| url-access = subscription
| via = Newspapers.com
}} She spent 20 years working for the City of Toronto, including as the director of events with the Economic Development and Culture Division, where she helped to organize Nuit Blanche.
Political career
Robinson ran for councillor in Ward 25 in the 2003 city council election against the incumbent Cliff 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.{{cite news
|author = Star Staff
|title = GTA Votes: Toronto Results
|work = Toronto Star
|page = B2
|date = 11 November 2003
|url = https://www.newspapers.com/image/949107970/
|access-date = 17 May 2024
|url-access = subscription
|via = Newspapers.com
}} 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.{{cite news
|last1 = Rapp
|first1 = Nick
|title = Erstwhile winner calls for probe into mix-up
|work = National Post
|location = Toronto
|publisher = CanWest
|page = A18
|date = 12 November 2003
|url = https://www.newspapers.com/image/514354534/
|access-date = 17 May 2024
|url-access = subscription
|via = Newspapers.com
}}
Robinson ran again in Ward 25 in the 2010 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.
{{cite news
| last1 = Spears
| first1 = John
| title = New mayor will face vastly different group
| work = Toronto Star
| pages = GT 1–2
| date = 26 October 2010
| url = https://www.newspapers.com/image/949944822/
| access-date = 17 May 2024
| url-access = subscription
| via = Newspapers.com
}}
Robinson was re-elected in the 2014 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.{{cite news
|last1 = Powell
|first1 = Betsy
|last2 = Pagliario
|first2 = Jennifer
|title = Meet team Tory
|work = Toronto Star
|page = GT2
|date = 5 December 2014
|url = https://www.newspapers.com/image/950849485/
|access-date = 17 May 2024
|url-access = subscription
|via = Newspapers.com
}} As PWIC’s chair she brought in and was in charge of the city’s first comprehensive road safety program known as Vision Zero.{{cite news
|last1 = Spurr
|first1 = Ben
|title = Bike lane guardian to push road safety in council run
|work = Toronto Star
|page = GT1
|date = 20 July 2018
|url = https://www.newspapers.com/image/951284294/
|access-date = 17 May 2024
|url-access = subscription
|via = Newspapers.com
|archive-date = May 17, 2024
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240517192529/https://www.newspapers.com/image/951284294/
|url-status = live
}}
Robinson ran again for Councillor for Toronto City Council in the 2018 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.
{{Cite news
| author = CTV Web Staff
| title = A look at Toronto's city councillors under the new 25-ward system
| work = CTV News Toronto
| publisher = Bell Media
| date = October 22, 2018
| url = https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/a-look-at-toronto-s-city-councillors-under-the-new-25-ward-system-1.4144889
| access-date = 18 May 2024
| url-status = live
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211119081150/https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/a-look-at-toronto-s-city-councillors-under-the-new-25-ward-system-1.4144889
| archive-date = 19 November 2021
{{Cite news
| last1 = Westoll
| first1 = Nick
| title = Toronto election 2018: Ward 15 Don Valley West
| work = Global News
| publisher = Corus Entertainment
| location = Toronto
| date = October 13, 2018
| url = https://globalnews.ca/news/4545299/toronto-election-2018-ward-15-don-valley-west/
| access-date = 18 May 2024
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240518003811/https://globalnews.ca/news/4545299/toronto-election-2018-ward-15-don-valley-west/
| archive-date = 18 May 2024
| url-status = live
}}
Following the election, Mayor John Tory announced that Robinson would serve as the chair of the TTC,
{{Cite news
| last1 = Shum
| first1 = David
| title = Mayor John Tory makes appointments to Toronto city council
| work = Global News
| publisher = Corus Entertainment
| location = Toronto
| date = 12 December 2018
| url = https://globalnews.ca/news/4753960/toronto-city-council-appointments/
| access-date = 18 May 2024
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190412231844/https://globalnews.ca/news/4753960/toronto-city-council-appointments/
| archive-date = 12 April 2019
| url-status = live
}} a position she held until 2022 when Tory appointed her to lead the city's plan for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
{{cite news
| last1 = Jeffords
| first1 = Shawn
| title = Tory puts key allies, newcomers in powerful positions at City Hall
| work = CBC News
| publisher = Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
| location = Toronto
| date = November 24, 2022
| url = https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/tory-committee-appointment-council-1.6662698
| access-date = 18 May 2024
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20221128194218/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/tory-committee-appointment-council-1.6662698
| archive-date = 28 November 2022
| url-status = live
}} She continued to lead this team after Olivia Chow was elected in the 2023 mayoral by-election.
{{cite news
| author = CBC News Staff
| title = These city councillors will play key roles in Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow's new term
| work = CBC News
| publisher = Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
| location = Toronto
| date = August 10, 2023
| url = https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/olivia-chow-committee-appointments-1.6932465
| access-date = May 17, 2024
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240518011445/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/olivia-chow-committee-appointments-1.6932465
| archive-date = 18 May 2024
| url-status = live
}} Alex Bozikovic, The Globe and Mail{{'}}s architecture critic, described Jaye Robinson as "furiously anti-development".
{{cite news
| last1 = Bozikovic
| first1 = Alex
| date = August 26, 2022
| title = Toronto Mayor John Tory's housing plan could bring real change. But is he ready for a fight?
| work = The Globe and Mail
| url = https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/toronto/article-john-tory-toronto-housing/
| access-date = October 6, 2022
| url-access = subscription
| archive-date = October 6, 2022
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20221006224257/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/toronto/article-john-tory-toronto-housing/
| url-status = live
}}
Illness and death
Robinson was diagnosed with breast cancer and took a temporary leave of absence from council on October 29, 2019.
{{cite news
| last = Wilson
| first = Codi
| date = October 29, 2019
| title = City councillor Jaye Robinson undergoing treatment for breast cancer
| work = CP24
| publisher = Bell Media
| location = Toronto
| url = https://www.cp24.com/news/city-councillor-jaye-robinson-undergoing-treatment-for-breast-cancer-1.4660257
| access-date = 17 May 2024
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191209153051/https://www.cp24.com/news/city-councillor-jaye-robinson-undergoing-treatment-for-breast-cancer-1.4660257
| archive-date = December 9, 2019
| url-status = live
}} She returned to council meetings in November 2020, although her attendance was done remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
{{cite news
| last1 = Rider
| first1 = David
| work = Toronto Star
| title = Jaye Robinson returns to city council after 'very dark days' of cancer treatment during the pandemic
| date = November 25, 2020
| url = https://www.thestar.com/news/city_hall/2020/11/25/jaye-robinson-returns-to-city-council-after-very-dark-days-of-cancer-treatment-during-the-pandemic.html?rf
| access-date = 18 May 2024
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211225160010/https://www.thestar.com/news/city_hall/2020/11/25/jaye-robinson-returns-to-city-council-after-very-dark-days-of-cancer-treatment-during-the-pandemic.html?rf
| archive-date = 25 December 2021
| url-status = live
}} Robinson died – while still serving as a city councillor – on May 16, 2024, at the age of 61.
{{cite news
| last1 = Spurr
| first1 = Ben
| last2 = Hasham
| first2 = Alyshah
| last3 = Habibinia
| first3 = Mahdis
| work = Toronto Star
| title = Toronto city councillor Jaye Robinson, the four-term North York representative, has died
| date = May 17, 2024
| url = https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/toronto-city-councillor-jaye-robinson-has-died-her-office-says/article_811bdf7c-144d-11ef-82c5-bf6c86d4587f.html
| access-date = May 18, 2024
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240518014532/https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/toronto-city-councillor-jaye-robinson-the-four-term-north-york-representative-has-died/article_811bdf7c-144d-11ef-82c5-bf6c86d4587f.html
| archive-date = 18 May 2024
| url-status = live
| last1 = Jones
| first1 = Ryan Patrick
| title = Toronto Coun. Jaye Robinson dies at 61
| work = CBC News
| publisher = Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
| location = Toronto
| date = 17 May 2024
| url = https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/jaye-robinson-dead-1.7207554
| access-date = 17 May 2024
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240517172742/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/jaye-robinson-dead-1.7207554
| archive-date = 17 May 2024
| url-status = live
}} Following her death, City Council – on June 26, 2024 – approved the November 4, 2024 by-election to fill her seat.
{{Cite news
| last1 = Lavoie
| first1 = Joana
| title = Byelection to be held in Toronto's Don Valley West on Nov. 4
| work = CP24
| publisher = Bell Media
| location = Toronto
| date = 2 July 2024
| url = https://www.cp24.com/news/byelection-to-be-held-in-toronto-s-don-valley-west-on-nov-4-1.6948902
| access-date = 5 November 2024
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240703001949/https://www.cp24.com/news/byelection-to-be-held-in-toronto-s-don-valley-west-on-nov-4-1.6948902
| archive-date = 3 July 2024
| url-status = live
}} Her son Sam Robinson ran in the by-election, and came in third.
{{Cite news
| last1 = Spurr
| first1 = Ben
| last2 = Cohen
| first2 = Ben
| title = Rachel Chernos Lin beats Anthony Furey in Don Valley West byelection
| work = Toronto Star
| publisher = Torstar
| location = Toronto
| date = 4 November 2024
| url = https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/rachel-chernos-lin-beats-anthony-furey-in-don-valley-west-byelection/article_6815bc4e-985c-11ef-8c46-bf746272c20c.html
| access-date = 5 November 2024
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20241105051023/https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/rachel-chernos-lin-beats-anthony-furey-in-don-valley-west-byelection/article_6815bc4e-985c-11ef-8c46-bf746272c20c.html
| archive-date = 5 November 2024
| url-status = live
}} He lost to school board trustee Rachel Chernos Lin.
{{Cite news
| author = CBC Staff
| title = Rachel Chernos Lin wins race for Ward 15 council seat: unofficial results
| work = CBC News
| publisher = Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
| location = Toronto
| date = 4 November 2024
| url = https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ward-15-byelection-1.7372784
| access-date = 4 November 2024
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20241105041450/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ward-15-byelection-1.7372784
| archive-date = 5 November 2024
| url-status = live
}}
Jaye Robinson Park<!-- section linked from [[List of parks in Toronto]] -->
On April 24, 2025, Toronto city council voted unanimously to rename a portion of Lawrence Park Ravine as Jaye Robinson Park as a memorial to late councillor. Councillor Rachel Chernos Lin said of Robinson: "Opening new parks was one of her favourite parts of the job." Robinson's widowed husband said, "Parks and trees were her passion and this is a park that has a lot of meaning to the family."{{cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/city-commemorates-late-councillor-with-what-her-family-calls-a-beautiful-memory/article_afb533d6-a179-4d5d-b460-12a4d6bb1256.html |title=City commemorates late councillor with what her family calls a ‘beautiful memory’ |newspaper=Toronto Star |date=2025-04-24 }}
The park spans two city blocks and is bounded by Yonge Street, Lawrence Avenue East and St. Edmond's Drive. It is bisected into a north and south segments by Lympstone Avenue. The northern segment is adjacent to the Locke Library and across the street from Lawrence subway station The {{convert|2.5|ha|adj=on}} park contains a playground, a shade structure, outdoor fitness equipment and several picnic tables and benches.{{cite web |url=https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2025/ny/bgrd/backgroundfile-254251.pdf |title=Naming Recommendation for a parcel of land within Lawrence Park Ravine, to "Jaye Robinson Park" |publisher=City of Toronto |date=2025-04-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250424162359/https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2025/ny/bgrd/backgroundfile-254251.pdf |archive-date=2025-04-24 |url-status=live }}
Electoral history
| class="wikitable"
| colspan="3" |2022 Toronto municipal election, Ward 15 | ||
| style="background:#ddf; width:200px;"| Candidate
! style="background:#ddf; width:50px;"| Vote ! style="background:#ddf; width:30px;"| % | ||
|---|---|---|
| Jaye Robinson (X) | 16,142 | 74.22 |
| Sheena Sharp | 2,780 | 12.78 |
| David Ricci | 2,438 | 11.21 |
| Gregory Vaz | 389 | 1.79 |
| colspan="3" |Source: City of Toronto{{cite web |title=Declaration of Results |url=https://www.toronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/9085-FinalDeclaration-of-Results-for-the-2022-Toronto-Municipal-Election.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240204045143/https://www.toronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/9085-FinalDeclaration-of-Results-for-the-2022-Toronto-Municipal-Election.pdf |archive-date=February 4, 2024 |access-date= |publisher=Toronto City Clerk's Office}} |
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
| colspan="3" |2018 Toronto municipal election, Ward 15 Don Valley West |
| scope="col" style="background:#ddf;" |Candidate
! scope="col" style="background:#ddf;" |Votes ! scope="col" style="background:#ddf;" |Vote share |
|---|
| scope="row" |Jaye Robinson
| align="right" |16,219 | align="right" |49.22% |
| scope="row" |Jon Burnside
| align="right" |14,440 | align="right" |43.82% |
| scope="row" |Tanweer Khan
| align="right" |1,309 | align="right" |3.97% |
| scope="row" |Nikola Streker
| align="right" |583 | align="right" |1.77% |
| scope="row" |Minh Le
| align="right" |404 | align="right" |1.23% |
| scope="row" |Total
! align="right" |32,955 ! align="right" |{{Right|100%}} |
| colspan="3" |Source: City of Toronto{{cite web |title=Declaration of Results |url=https://www.toronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/97da-2018clerksofficialdeclarationofresults.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025222651/https://www.toronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/97da-2018clerksofficialdeclarationofresults.pdf |archive-date=October 25, 2018 |access-date= |publisher=Toronto City Clerk's Office}} |
| class="wikitable" | ||
| colspan="3" align="center"|2014 Toronto election, Ward 25 {{cite web|title=2014 General Election Results for City Ward 25 - Don Valley West|url=http://election.toronto.ca/epr2014/eprDetail.do?C;022,111,309,203,403,#1426689673010|access-date=September 19, 2016|archive-date=March 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160326103653/http://election.toronto.ca/epr2014/eprDetail.do?C;022,111,309,203,403,#1426689673010|url-status=dead}} | ||
| bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="150px" | Candidate
! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" | Votes ! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" | % | ||
|---|---|---|
| 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% |
| class="wikitable" | ||
| Colspan="3" align="center"|2010 Toronto election, Ward 25 | ||
| bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="150px" | Candidate
! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" | Votes ! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" | % | ||
|---|---|---|
| Jaye Robinson | align=right| 9,258 | align=right| 45.49% |
| Cliff Jenkins (incumbent) | align=right| 8,756 | align=right| 43.02% |
| Joanne Dickins | align=right| 1,968 | align=right| 9.67% |
| Tanya Hostler | align=right| 368 | align=right| 1.80% |
| Total||align=right| 20,350 ||align=right| 100% |
{{cite web
| author = City Staff
| title = Toronto Vote 2010 election results
| date = 26 October 2010
| url = http://election.toronto.ca/epr/textlist.html
| access-date = 17 May 2024
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110920051647/http://election.toronto.ca/epr/eprDetail.do?025,113,305,202,403,
| archive-date = 20 September 2011
| url-status = dead
}}