David Pecaut

David Kent Pecaut, CM (September 14, 1955 – December 14, 2009) was an American-born Canadian civic leader, city builder and a strategist. He was known for his visionary initiatives, and solutions-based approach to social issues. He was able to convene different stakeholders, and implement holistic solutions. He was instrumental in forming the Toronto City Summit Alliance. He tackled a "wide range of issues like greening the city, diversity, immigrant employment and affordable housing."

Pecaut was born and raised in Sioux City, Iowa and attended West High School before going to Harvard University (BA Sociology 1977) and University of Sussex (MA Philosophy 1978). He return to Sioux City to work for Terra Chemicals before moving to Toronto in the 1980s.

Pecaut was appointed a member of the Order of Canada in November 2009. He died on December 14, 2009 at his Toronto residence of colorectal cancer. He was 54 years old.

Pecaut Square, originally Metro Square, is a public space located between Metro Hall and Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto. It was renamed after David Pecaut by a unanimous Toronto City Council vote in April 2011.

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