(Toronto) John Tory, who served two scandal-free terms as mayor of Toronto and had just been re-elected for a third, announced on Friday that he was resigning from his post due to an “inappropriate relationship” with a employee of his office.
Tory had been re-elected less than four months ago. He had been mayor of the queen city since 2014.
The announcement was made at a hastily called press conference, at which Mr Tory gave few details of the case.
Mr Tory claimed the relationship with his office worker was forged during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he was spending long periods away from his wife Barbara, his wife of more than 40 years.
“I recognize that allowing this relationship to develop was a serious error in judgment on my part,” Mr Tory said at City Hall.
“As a result, I have decided to step down as mayor in order to take the time to reflect on my mistakes and do the work of rebuilding my family’s trust,” he added.
Avoid controversy
He indicated that this extramarital relationship ended by mutual consent earlier this year and that the woman now works elsewhere.
He says he will work with city staff to ensure an orderly transition.
I will be working with the City Manager, City Clerk and Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie to ensure an orderly transition in the coming days.
Toronto Mayor John Tory
“Furthermore, I think it is important that the Mayor’s office not be tarnished in any way, and that the city government itself does not suffer a long period of controversy, stemming from this error in judgment on my part. , especially in light of the challenges we face as a city,” he continued. I am deeply sorry and apologize unreservedly to the people of Toronto and to all who have been hurt by my actions, including my staff, my colleagues and the public service. »
John Tory was first elected mayor in 2014, partly on a promise to restore respectability to the post after his predecessor Rob Ford’s rocky tenure, and had just been re-elected for a third term in October.