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PRESS RELEASE: Councillor Lily Cheng Marks 8 Years Since the Yonge Street Tragedy and Announces Rescheduled Community Commemoration
- Monica Hu
- Apr 23
- 2 min read
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 23, 2026
TORONTO – Today marks eight years since the Toronto van attack, a day that remains one of the most difficult in Willowdale’s history and one our community will never forget.
While April 23, 2018 brought immense loss and grief, it also revealed the compassion, courage, and generosity of the people who call Willowdale home. In the years since, the community has grown stronger and more connected, grounded in care for one another.
“Eight years later, we continue to remember the lives lost and stand with the families and loved ones whose lives were changed forever,” said Councillor Lily Cheng. “In the face of tragedy, our community came together in remarkable ways. That spirit of compassion and resilience continues to define Willowdale today.”
The Yonge Street Tragedy Commemoration and Memorial Design Contest Launch will take place on Friday, April 24, from 1:00 to 2:00 PM at Olive Square Park.
Residents are invited to come together to remember and reflect, connect with neighbours, and learn more about the vision and guiding principles behind the future memorial. Attendees will also hear updates on the next steps in the design process, a project shaped by the voices of families, survivors, and community members with the goal of creating a space for reflection, healing, and connection.
The future memorial will honour those lost while recognizing the strength, care, and resilience shown by the community in the years since. Councillor Cheng also noted that while the project has faced delays due to staff transitions and coordination across divisions, important progress has been made, including securing City funding last year.
“We remain committed to creating a memorial that honours the lives we lost and commemorates the resilience of our community,” said Councillor Cheng.
The community is encouraged to take a moment to remember the lives lost:
In memoriam
Anne Marie D'Amico, 30
Dorothy Sewell, 80
Renuka Amarasingha, 45
Munir Najjar, 85
Chul Min (Eddie) Kang, 45
Mary Elizabeth (Betty) Forsyth, 94
So He Chung, 22
Andrea Bradden, 33
Geraldine Brady, 83
Ji Hun Kim, 22
Amaresh Tesfamarian, 65
“Our thoughts remain with their loved ones, for whom there will always be an empty chair at the table,” added Councillor Cheng. “We will continue to remember, and to support one another, as we move forward together.”
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Media Contact:
Sara Hildebrand, Chief of Staff
416.985.6770 mobile
Office of Councillor Lily Cheng, Ward 18 Willowdale
416.392.0210
