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Cynthia Lai
Chinese-Canadian politician (1954–2022) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Cynthia Lai[a] (October 19, 1954 – October 21, 2022) was a Canadian politician who represented Ward 23 Scarborough North on the Toronto City Council from 2018 to 2022.
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Background
Lai immigrated to Canada from British Hong Kong in 1972.[1] Her cousin is Tony Wong, is a former member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) and municipal councillor.
Prior to entering politics, Lai worked as a realtor and was president of the Toronto Real Estate Board, the first Hong Kong-Canadian woman to hold that position.[2]
Political career
Lai was elected to the Toronto City Council in the 2018 municipal election to represent Ward 23 Scarborough North.[2] She served on the council until her death in 2022.
Personal life and death

Lai was hospitalized on October 20 during the 2022 election campaign.[3] She died on October 21, 2022, two days after her 68th birthday and just three days before the municipal election.[4] She had been suffering from gallbladder cancer.[5]
She was interred at York Cemetery in Toronto. Flags at Toronto City Hall, Metro Hall and Toronto civic centres were flown at half-mast, and the Toronto Sign was dimmed in her honour.[5]
In 2025, the City of Toronto re-named Rosebank Park to Cynthia Lai Park in her honor.[6]
Electoral history
2018
Ward 23 Scarborough North
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Notes
References
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