Laura Dean

Before deciding to run for mayor, Laura was a partner at a well-known Bay Street law firm where she worked as a municipal and land use planning lawyer for over a decade. Laura has been involved in development applications across Toronto and has firsthand experience working with City departments to move projects from concept to construction. Councils, residents, and private-sector clients across Ontario trusted Laura for legal advice on pressing municipal issues.

Laura believes in civility, accountability, and transparency in government and has acted as an Integrity Commissioner and Closed Meeting Investigator for municipalities throughout the province.

Before law, Laura worked inside the Ontario government as a Senior Policy Advisor in the Housing Policy branch of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and previously as a Policy Analyst in the Climate Change Secretariat at Cabinet Office.

Currently, Laura is on the Board of the Friends of Allan Gardens, a registered charity dedicated to revitalizing the historic park and conservatories. Laura was previously a volunteer with Cycle Toronto, winning Volunteer of the Year in 2017 for her advocacy on the Bloor Street bike lane. Laura also volunteered for many years with the Canadian Red Cross' Street Relief program, providing weekly hot meals at Sherbourne and Wellesley.

In her spare time, Laura plays drums in cover bands, skates with a women's hockey skills group at Bill Bolton Arena, and enjoys gardening, live music, comedy, and theatre.

Laura lives in the West End with her husband (a Crown prosecutor) and two kids.