The daughter of Chinese immigrants to Canada, Shirley Hoy has distinguished herself as a top bureaucrat in the city of Toronto.
Prior to her becoming the chief administrative officer (CAO) of the City of Toronto, she held positions such as Director of Policy and Planning for the Community Services department; General Manager of Administration for Exhibition Place; and Executive Director for the Metro Chairman's Office.
[2] She worked in the provincial government between 1991 and 1995, at the end of which she was appointed to the post of "Commissioner of the Community and Neighbourhood Services" in January, 1996.
On July 28, 2008, after serving almost seven years as Toronto's City Manager, Hoy tendered her resignation, effective October 6, 2008.
In her letter of resignation, Hoy cited her intention to continue working in the health and social services sector.