Top doc in Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon cracks list of 50 most influential Torontonians

What do Premier Doug Ford, The Weeknd and Dr. Lawrence Loh have in common?

All three are on Toronto Life’s list of 50 most influential Torontonians for 2021.

As Peel’s medical officer of health, Loh has become a bit of a household name in Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Region’s top doc came in at number 20 of the list, bookended by Federal Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole at number 19 and Ryerson University President Mohamed Lachemi at 21.

While Loh works in Peel, Toronto Life included the Region’s top doc on their annual list “for making the smart, tough decision, even when they’re unpopular.”

In March, Loh and Peel Public Health (PPH) shut down an Amazon fulfillment centre due to an outbreak of COVID-19.

Loh said making that call was “a difficult decision but a necessary one to stop further spread both in the facility and across our community.”

Being honoured on the top 50 list isn’t just a reflection on his work during the pandemic, Loh told insauga.com.

He called his inclusion “a nod to the tireless collaboration” of hospital staff, healthcare workers, first responders, and community partners “that have stood beside us throughout this unprecedented emergency response.”

Loh applauded the team at PPH, the Region of Peel, Regional Council and mayors among many others, including “the wonderful Peel community, which went above and beyond to care for not only all of us in the response but each other through this crisis.”

“Together, we have saved lives and kept people well — and will continue to do so as we remain vigilant and complete our last mile of vaccination to push ever closer to the end of the acute phase of this crisis.”