De Villa resigns as Toronto’s top doctor, to stay on until end of year

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Dr. Eileen de Villa is calling it quits.

Toronto’s medical officer of health, who has been in the appointed position for eight years, is resigning from her role effective Dec. 31.

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“This was not a decision that I took lightly,” said de Villa in a video posted on YouTube and her X account.

“However, after several months of heartfelt discussions with my family and taking some time to think about and to reassess my future path, I’m ready to embark on the next chapter of my professional life and to spend more time with my family.”

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De Villa was a major figure during Toronto’s COVID-19 battle starting in the spring of 2020, appearing almost daily for six months with then-mayor John Tory to update the public and the media on how the city was handling the global pandemic.

She also stressed the need for vaccination to prevent the spread of the virus and in a more lighthearted take was singled out for wearing different multicoloured scarves at each COVID-19 briefing.

“I also believe that we are now in a good position to transition to a new medical officer of health to lead Toronto Public Health as we are stabilizing as an organization after the COVID-19 pandemic,” said de Villa in her message.

In December 2021, de Villa underwent surgery following the discovery of precancerous cells that were identified as part of a routine screening.

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De Villa was also notable for her response to the ongoing drug toxicity epidemic as she requested Toronto receive an exemption from Health Canada to decriminalize all controlled drugs and substances for personal use.

“There is much work that we have yet to accomplish over the next six months and I want to assure you that in the time that’s left, I will continue to press on and make sure that together with the organization, we will continue to do our very best to meet the health needs of Torontonians,” said de Villa.

“It has truly been the honour and the privilege of a lifetime to work alongside our remarkable colleagues here at public health and our other community providers.”

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In response to her announcement, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow thanked de Villa for her “leadership.

“You navigated Toronto Public Health through an incredibly difficult and uncertain time during the pandemic with integrity and compassion,” said Chow in a statement.

“As mayor, I’m grateful for your work to keep our city healthy.”

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Councillor Chris Moise, who is also the Toronto Board of Health chair, said in a statement that he received de Villa’s letter of resignation with “mixed emotions.

“I have had the privilege of working closely with Dr. de Villa and I am deeply grateful for her unwavering support, guidance and willingness to collaborate,” said Moise.

Moise said her “contributions to the City of Toronto are immeasurable,” singling out her work during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It was an incredibly difficult experience for everyone, especially Toronto Public Health staff, but Dr. de Villa consistently delivered critical updates with a reassuring voice that said, “It is going to be OK,” even when the path ahead seemed uncertain,” he said.

Moise said he’d be bringing forward a motion at the upcoming Board of Health meeting on May 27 to form a search committee for de Villa’s successor.

De Villa’s resignation came a week after Toronto Fire Chief Matthew Pegg, who was also a part of the daily COVID-19 briefings, announced that he plans to retire on Oct. 4.

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