On the advice of City Manager Paul Johnson, Mayor John Tory is pleased to announce the appointment of Paul Raftis as the City of Toronto’s Deputy City Manager, Community and Social Services. Raftis will report directly to the City Manager.
The Community and Social Services service area provides a diverse range of social and community services and supports to allow all Toronto residents and neighbourhoods to fully participate in the social and economic life of the city. City divisions that are a part of Community and Social Services include Children’s Services, Court Services, Economic Development & Culture, Employment and Social Services, Housing Secretariat, Parks, Forestry & Recreation, Public Health, Seniors Services and Long-Term Care, Shelter Support & Housing Administration, Social Development, Finance & Administration, Toronto Fire and Toronto Paramedic Services.
In his over three decades with the City of Toronto, Raftis has established himself as a versatile, dynamic and transformative leader with a proven track record. Raftis was promoted to Chief and General Manager of Toronto Paramedic Services in 2011, leading the service through significant change and modernization. These skills were called upon when he assumed the role of Interim General Manager of Shelter Support and Housing Administration in 2017, reforming divisional programs to better meet the needs of Toronto’s vulnerable residents.
In 2019, Raftis was called upon to serve as Interim General Manager, Seniors Services and Long-Term Care, where he successfully developed a client-centred approach and implementation plan of care and proactively led the Division through the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring a safe and secure environment for the 2,600+ residents and thousands of staff in the City’s directly operated homes. Raftis then returned to his role of Chief, Paramedic Services in 2021.
Raftis holds a Bachelor of Health Science degree and is committed to a culture of continuous improvement, service excellence and lifelong learning.
Bikram Chawla has been appointed to the position of Interim Chief and General Manager of Toronto Paramedic Services effective December 21, 2022 until a permanent Chief and General Manager is appointed.
Also today, Mayor Tory signed a Mayoral decision delegating the authority to hire and dismiss the vast majority of City staff to the City Manager. The Mayor retained the decision to hire or dismiss several heads of key City divisions. When vacancies occur, there will be a hiring process in place involving councillors and/or the City Manager’s Office – similar to hiring processes in the past. In the same decision, Mayor Tory also delegated to City Council the power to hire or dismiss the City Solicitor.
