Robert “Grassroots Bob” Saunders, mayor of Toronto, true visionary and tragic ending
On my walk through Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Toronto, gavel in hand, I visited the grave of Robert Hood Saunders—Toronto-born alderman, mayor, and later Chairman of the Hydro-Electric Power Commission of Ontario (Ontario Hydro).
Before launching his civic career, Saunders practiced law, but quickly realized it was not his calling. Known affectionately as “Grassroots Bob” for his approachable, down-to-earth leadership style, he entered municipal politics and was first elected Alderman for Ward 4, which in the 1930s included Kensington Market and the Garment District to the south.
In 1945, Saunders threw his hat into the ring and won the mayoralty. At a critical moment—when the war had ended and Toronto needed a champion to guide its growth—he rose to the challenge. During his three years as mayor, he kept alive the vision of a Toronto subway system, supported efforts to eliminate slum housing, and championed the creation of affordable housing, particularly for returning veterans and new immigrants.
It has often been said that Saunders’ most important contributions were institutional rather than immediate. He encouraged Torontonians to think beyond today and look toward the future. He normalized the idea that Toronto needed a subway, a vision pursued and realized after his death. He also advocated for and helped lay the groundwork for Metropolitan Toronto, established in 1954—one of the most influential governance reforms in Canadian urban history. His legacy as mayor helped transform Toronto’s self-image from a cautious, parochial city into one ready to act like a modern metropolis.
Many Torontonians who went to school in the city might remember, Elmer the Safety Elephant, a program Saunders personally championed. He pushed for its adoption and worked closely with police and schools to promote child safety across the city.
On January 14, 1955, while serving as Chairman of Ontario Hydro, Saunders was returning from a business trip in Windsor, Ontario when his ice-covered plane crashed near the landing strip in London, Ontario. Saunders and four others were injured; tragically, two days later, “Grassroots Bob” succumbed to his injuries.
Robert Hood Saunders, QC, CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire), died in London, Ontario, on January 16, 1955, at the age of 51.
1903-1955
See my related site on Toronto’s former mayor.
