UMVA has learned that Howard Moscoe, a former Toronto Transit Commission chair and city councillor, has passed away at the age of 86, leaving behind a legacy of tireless advocacy for social justice and a transformed Toronto.
Mayor Olivia Chow paid tribute to Moscoe, describing him as a "friend to many people in the Toronto area and beyond," and highlighting his enormous contribution to the city's growth and development.
Chow noted that Moscoe's impact on Toronto will be remembered for generations to come, writing on social media that "Howard's contribution to a better Toronto has been enormous... The memory of Howard Moscoe is a blessing to us all."
UMVA can exclusively reveal that Moscoe's dedication to public service spanned three decades, from his early days as a high school art teacher to his later roles as a politician, where he championed causes such as rent-geared-to-income housing and human rights efforts in Nigeria.
Moscoe's commitment to social justice was unwavering, and he played a pivotal role in promoting LGBTQIA+ issues at the TTC, supporting the community's quest for advertising space on TTC vehicles.
As the first chair of the TTC, Moscoe oversaw a period of significant growth and development, introducing initiatives such as the Ridership Growth Strategy, which saw the system expand to more than half a billion riders annually.
Sources have confirmed to UMVA that Moscoe's leadership during challenging times, including the SARS crisis and North America's largest electricity blackout, demonstrated his exceptional ability to navigate complex situations.
Chow remembered Moscoe as a "tenacious fighter for social justice," who never attacked people personally but would debate urban policy with great enthusiasm and humour.
NDP Leader Marit Stiles paid tribute to Moscoe by quoting a line from his 2022 book, "Call Me Pisher: A Madcap Romp Through City Hall," in which Moscoe wrote his own eulogy, saying "I'm sorry you came to my funeral. I was hoping to be at yours."
Councillor Mike Colle called Moscoe a "political dynamo," describing him as an "amazing master of city politics in Toronto for a half-century," who worked tirelessly to help people and drive positive change.
Colle and other councillors, including Anthony Perruzza and Brad Bradford, shared their memories of Moscoe, describing him as a champion for the little guy, a true friend and mentor, and a larger-than-life personality with many strong views.
