Toronto Coun. Pam McConnell ‘gravely ill,’ Mayor John Tory says

Longtime Toronto city councillor Pam McConnell is in hospital battling a very serious illness, the city’s mayor told reporters on Thursday.

“Pam McConnell is a person that I have grown to respect immensely in my time here,” John Tory said at a press conference at City Hall. “I named her as a deputy mayor, I’m very fond of her and I’m very sad that she is gravely ill.”

Tory did not disclose the nature of McConnell’s illness, but said he was assured that she was receiving “the very best care” from some of the country’s best doctors.

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“She’ll be fighting this as hard as she possibly can,” he said.

McConnell has been a city councillor since 1994 and represents Ward 28 (Toronto Centre-Rosedale). Prior to being elected to council, she served as a school trustee for 12 years.

Tory said he received permission from her family to share the news. Well wishes can be sent through her city email address, he said.