The sad news sent a shockwave through the council chamber, and brought a week-long meeting to an abrupt end.
Deputy mayor Pam McConnell has died at the age of 71, after being admitted to hospital just yesterday. Her colleagues say that she had suffered from problems with her lungs.
"To think that she would go down so quickly, that's leaving us just breathless," councillor Joe Mihevc said.
There were tears and long embraces among councillors, after they held a minute of silence.
"Toronto is a better and fairer city thanks to Pam's service and advocacy," mayor John Tory said in a statement. "She was a strong defender for Toronto."
McConnell was first elected to council in 1994, after serving as a school trustee for 12 years.
"She was a star," councillor Maria Augimeri said, choking up when remembering one of the last things McConnell told her in hospital. "In those 15 minutes, she said, you take what you're given. It is what it is."
McConnell is being remembered as a strong advocate for poverty reduction, for her leadership in the Regent Park revitalization project.
"She moved mountains in a quiet way in our city," councillor Paula Fletcher said. "And she leaves a very, very big hole."
Councillor Mihevc has placed a t-shirt that reads "End Poverty" on deputy mayor McConnell's council seat. Many tears and hugs in the chamber pic.twitter.com/dyMjnVemOK
— NEWSTALK1010 (@NEWSTALK1010) July 7, 2017
Councillor Joe Mihevc says McConnell was a "great spirit." He says her sudden death has been a shock. pic.twitter.com/AzFwDVu6tG
— NEWSTALK1010 (@NEWSTALK1010) July 7, 2017
Councillor Maria Augimeri says deputy mayor Pam McConnell was "a star" and "a hero" pic.twitter.com/WzPo7D5bLV
— NEWSTALK1010 (@NEWSTALK1010) July 7, 2017
Councillor Paula Fletcher joined by colleagues as they remember deputy mayor Pam McConnell pic.twitter.com/DCKGiZjDU5
— NEWSTALK1010 (@NEWSTALK1010) July 7, 2017
Councillors have gathered in the city hall rotunda to sign a book of condolences for Pam McConnell. pic.twitter.com/aDaOP3r4vP
— NEWSTALK1010 (@NEWSTALK1010) July 7, 2017