Toronto City Manager Chris Murray Stepping Down

“I want to thank my colleagues on the senior leadership team, the corporate leadership team and the entire Toronto Public Service for their tireless commitment to the people of Toronto. I would also like to thank Mayor Tory and City Council for their support and collaboration over these last four years. The pandemic shone a bright light on the value of public service, from our frontline and essential workers and through the entire organization. Through it all, I could not have been prouder to lead such a committed, passionate and exemplary public service and to work with great leaders on City Council,” states Chris Murray, City Manager.

Murray joined the City of Toronto in August 2018 after serving as City Manager for the City of Hamilton for 10 years. From his first day in Toronto, he began work on workplace culture, equity and inclusion, and enhanced service delivery. Building supportive and affordable housing, expanding transit and maintaining city infrastructure were key priorities.

His focus on Indigenous reconciliation, climate action and employee experience ensured the work of the public service was meaningful and reflected a forward-thinking vision for the public the City serves.

In March 2020, the world was hit with an unprecedented pandemic, where Murray steered the Toronto Public Service in its response and recovery to ensure residents continued to receive critical services throughout.

An interim City Manager and a process for recruitment of a permanent City Manager will be announced in the weeks ahead.

Mayor John Tory states, “I want to thank Chris Murray for his service to the City of Toronto. I have always appreciated his calm and steady leadership of the Toronto Public Service and I believe it helped our overall efforts as a city during the COVID-19 pandemic. After 14 years at the helm of two cities, I know he is ready to move on and I wish him all the best in his next endeavours.”