Keesmaat Stepping Down As Toronto's Chief Planner

Toronto’s chief planner, Jennifer Keesmaat, is leaving her job effective Sept. 29 to pursue new challenges.

“It’s been an honour to work with Mayor [John] Tory, council, city staff and my remarkable team in the City Planning division over the last five years," Keesmaat said in a city news release issued Monday. 

“I promised myself that after five years in public service I would review my future options," she said. "I look forward to new challenges in the important business of city building now enriched by invaluable lessons, new friends and colleagues acquired while serving the people of our great city, Toronto." 

Keesmaat took on the chief planner role in 2012, overseeing a wide array of projects, including the first comprehensive plan for the downtown in 40 years, and Toronto's first council-approved Transit Network Plan. As chief city planner, she also partnered with other city divisions and agencies on transit projects, including the King Street Pilot Project, Scarborough Subway Extension, SmartTrack, Eglinton Crosstown LRT, Waterfront LRT and the Relief Line. 

"I want to personally thank Jennifer for her tremendous passion, leadership and innovation in driving forward a number of major projects for the city as we continue to move Toronto toward becoming a more livable, affordable and functional city," Tory said in the news release. 

"Jennifer has used her platform and voice as chief planner to help guide council's efforts to build a better city for all Torontonians and I wish her all the best in the next phase of her career." 

A replacement for Keesmaat has not been announced.