Paul Johnsonis a Canadiancivil servantwho has been thecity managerfor theCity of Torontosince December 2, 2022.
Paul Johnson | |
|---|---|
| Toronto City Manager | |
| Assumed office December 2, 2022 | |
| Appointed by | John Tory |
| Preceded by | Chris Murray Tracey Cook (interim) |
| Personal details | |
| Alma mater | McMaster University(B.A.) |
| Profession | Civil servant |
Background and education
editBorn and raised inHamilton, Ontario,[1]Johnson earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in history fromMcMaster Universityand completed the Community Shift Leadership Program fromIvey Business SchoolatWestern UniversityinLondon, Ontario.[2][3]
Career
editJohnson began his career in the non-profit sector, where he worked on homelessness and poverty reduction initiatives. He joined Wesley Urban Ministries in 1995,[4]where he would work for 15 years, including 10 years as executive director.[1]
City of Hamilton
editIn 2010, Johnson was recruited to join the City of Hamilton by City ManagerChris Murray,[4]where he would work in a number of roles including as the director of neighbourhood and community initiatives, the city's corporate initiatives, thelight rail transit (LRT) project,eventually becoming the general manager of healthy and safe communities.[5][6]
COVID-19
editDuring theCOVID-19 pandemic in Ontario,Johnson served as Hamilton's emergency operations centre director, where he managed the city's response to the COVID-19 pandemic along with medical officer of health Dr. Elizabeth Richardson.[6]In 2020, Johnson and Richardson were named Hamilton's citizen of the year.[4]
City of Toronto
editJohnson left Hamilton in 2021 to become theCity of Toronto's deputy city manager for community and social services on September 7.[6]In Toronto, Johnson worked on housing issues such as the Tenants First program, and creating theToronto Seniors Housing Corporation.He also oversaw the launch of theToronto Community Crisis Service,a non-police basedcrisis interventionpilot program, and worked on the city’s bid to co-host the2026 FIFA World Cup.[7]
On December 2, 2022, MayorJohn Toryannounced that Johnson was selected to become Toronto's city manager. SinceChris Murraystepped down on August 19, the role of city manager had been vacant, with deputy city manager Tracy Cook acting in the role until Johnson's appointment.[7][8]Johnson's appointment was one of the first uses of thenew strong mayor powersgranted to themayor of Torontofollowing the 2022 election.[7]
Personal life
editJohnson referees basketball and is a NOCP evaluator and instructor.[1][2]
References
edit- ^abcRankin, Christine (February 23, 2021)."How Paul Johnson uses his referee experience as head of Hamilton's pandemic response centre".CBC News.
- ^ab"Paul Johnson".The CivicAction Leadership Foundation.Retrieved2022-12-03.
- ^"Paul Johnson appointed City of Toronto's new City Manager".City of Toronto.2022-12-02.Retrieved2022-12-03.
- ^abc"Hamilton's Emergency Operations Director Paul Johnson leaves to work at City of Toronto".The Hamilton Spectator.2021-07-14.ISSN1189-9417.Retrieved2022-12-03.
- ^Urciuoli, Anthony (2021-07-14)."After helping lead Hamilton's pandemic response, Paul Johnson is leaving his role with the City | insauga".insauga | Local Online News.Retrieved2022-12-03.
- ^abcRankin, Christine (July 15, 2021)."Hamilton's director of its pandemic response centre is leaving for Toronto".CBC News.
- ^abc"John Tory uses his 'strong mayor' powers to fill key role without council's approval".thestar.2022-12-02.Retrieved2022-12-03.
- ^"Tory uses strong mayor powers to appoint new city manager".CTV Toronto.2022-12-02.Retrieved2022-12-03.