During an announcement on changes to Toronto’s Executive Committee, Toronto mayor John Tory also announced the creation of the Mayor’s Advocate for the Innovation Economy Role.
Toronto Councillor Michelle Holland left her position on the Executive Committee to take on the role. According to Tory, Holland will encourage collaboration between the tech sector, government, and corporate partners; encourage more diversity within the sector; and help workers displaced by technology by assessing its impact and developing reskilling initiatives.
“I came to office promising to return civility to City Hall,” said Tory. “I promised voters that council would be more functional – that we would get down to work. Since then, my Executive Committee has worked productively with their council colleagues to make great progress on behalf of the people of Toronto. We are making great strides towards making the city more livable and affordable.”
In a letter to Holland, Tory suggested the goal was to boost the Toronto-Waterloo Corridor. “I want Toronto to be a place where people come to solve problems, have an impact, and create new solutions,” Tory said in the letter. “I believe the success of the technology sector in Toronto has the potential to transform our industries and benefit Toronto’s liveability and reputation as an arts city.”
Tory has been bullish on encouraging tech innovation within the city by pursuing trade missions promoting the tech sector and creating innovation teams to address city problems.