Beverley Salmon Obituary, Beverley Salmon Has Sadly Passed Away Death Cause

May 2024 · 6 minute read

Toronto is grieving the loss of Dr. Beverley Salmon, the first Black female city councillor and a prominent figure in advocating for more inclusive practices in municipal government. Dr. Salmon’s daughter, Heather, shared the news of her mother’s passing on social media, revealing that she passed away on Thursday at the age of 92.

A Life Dedicated to Activism

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Beverley Salmon Born in Toronto on December 25, 1930, Salmon was the daughter of Herbert Bell, a Jamaican immigrant, and Violet Bryan, a fifth generation Canadian of Scottish descent. Dr. Beverley Salmon began her career as a nurse in the 1950s, initially working in Detroit.

After completing her training, Salmon started her nursing career in Detroit, Michigan, in 1956. While in the city she had the opportunity to hear leaders of the civil rights movement such as Martin Luther King Jr., and was inspired on her return to Toronto to become involved in civil rights activism.

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Salmon was the founding chair of the Toronto Board of Education’s Black Liaison Committee, where she worked to institute anti-racism training for teachers and increase coverage of Black history in the curriculum. She was a co-founder of the Urban Alliance on Race Relations and was the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s first Black female commissioner.

During her time in the United States, she became involved in the civil rights movement, igniting her passion for social justice. In the 1960s, Dr. Salmon returned to Toronto and continued her activism. Her tireless efforts and commitment to advancing the rights of marginalized communities earned her recognition and respect.

Salmon first ran for elected office in the 1976 municipal election as alderman for Ward 8 on North York Council losing to Alan Milliken Heisey Sr. Salmon ran again as councillor for Ward 8 in the 1985 municipal election defeating Andy Borins. Borins had been removed from office as Ward 8 councillor during the previous term by a court order due to a court application made by Barbara Greene. She was Toronto’s first female black City councillor. She served as a Toronto Transit Commission Board member for the years 1989 to 1994 and was Vice Chair of the Board in the years 1991 to 1994.

Salmon continued as a Metro Toronto councillor until her retirement in 1997.

A Trailblazing City Councillor

Salmon was a founding member of the Toronto Urban Alliance on Race Relations (UARR) which was established in 1975, among the rise of racial tensions in Toronto. She worked closely with other UARR members, including Dr. Wilson A. Head and Jean Augustine, and served on the Media Committee and the Board of Directors.

In 1985, Dr. Beverley Salmon made history by becoming Toronto’s first Black female city councillor. She represented North York and served in this capacity until her retirement in 1997. Throughout her tenure, Dr. Salmon consistently pushed for more inclusive policies and practices within municipal government, leaving an indelible mark on the city.

Honors and Remembrances

Dr. Beverley Salmon’s impactful work did not go unnoticed. In 2016, she was honored with the Order of Ontario, followed by the Order of Canada in 2017. Her passing has deeply affected the Toronto community, prompting an outpouring of remembrances from various political figures.

Mayor-elect Olivia Chow expressed her sorrow and commemorated their time serving together on Metro Council. She lauded Dr. Salmon’s leadership in advancing human rights and racial justice. Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie also offered her condolences and shared a heartfelt photo with the late city councillor, praising her dedication to anti-racism initiatives in Toronto.

Legacy and Final Farewell after Beverley Salmon Obituary

Dr. Beverley Salmon’s legacy as a trailblazer and advocate for inclusive governance will continue to inspire future generations. Urban Alliance on Race Relations, a non-profit organization founded by Dr. Salmon, expressed deep sadness at her passing, recognizing her extraordinary contributions to igniting social change and amplifying marginalized voices.

Dr. Jill Andrew, Member Provincial Parliament (MPP) for Toronto-St. Paul’s, described Dr. Salmon as a “trailblazer” and a significant loss for the community. She extended her condolences to Dr. Salmon’s family and expressed gratitude for her leadership.

The funeral arrangements for Dr. Beverley Salmon will be announced by her family shortly. Her daughter, Heather, stated on Facebook that the funeral will take place on July 20, with visitation in Toronto on July 18 and 19. The city of Toronto and the nation as a whole join in mourning the passing of this remarkable advocate for social change.

Written by Brian Omran, Clara Thomas Archives and Special Collections practicum student

The Clara Thomas Archives holds a number of fonds that document the lives of Black Canadians. In this last week of Black History Month, we’re highlighting the work of Toronto politician and activist Beverley Salmon.

The Beverley Salmon fonds here at the Clara Thomas Archives contains information about her work as an activist and politician, including records pertaining to her role as North York and Metro Toronto councillor and her work with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. Records include correspondence, meeting materials, reports, conference materials, and newspaper clippings. These records document Salmon’s commitment as an activist and public servant as well as her contributions to the anti-racism movement in Toronto and beyond.

Beverley Salmon Obituary 

The loss of Beverley Salmon has left a void in the community, and it is natural to experience grief and a range of emotions during this time. It is essential to support one another, share memories, and seek solace in the collective bond built by Beverley Salmon ‘s legacy. Together, we can find healing and strength in celebrating their life. 

Beverley Salmon Obituary will be updated as soon as accurate information is available. Family, friends, and community members are encouraged to gather to honor and pay their respects to this remarkable individual. Let us come together to celebrate Beverley Salmon ‘s life, acknowledging the impact they had on each of us. 

Beverley Salmon Obituary: Honoring Beverley Salmon  ‘s Memory 

To honor Beverley Salmon ‘s memory and continue their legacy of service, several community initiatives have been established. These initiatives aim to carry forward Beverley Salmon ‘s values and create positive change within the community. By participating in these endeavors, we can collectively honor Beverley Salmon ‘s life and perpetuate their mission of making a difference. 

In the passing of Beverley Salmon, has lost an exceptional individual whose impact will resonate for years to come. Beverley Salmon ‘s unwavering dedication to community service, academic excellence, artistic pursuits, and philanthropy serves as an inspiration to us all. As we gather to mourn the loss, let us also celebrate Beverley Salmon ‘s remarkable life and strive to emulate their spirit of compassion, kindness, and selflessness. 

 

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