Mayor John Tory’s unexpected resignation raises questions about Toronto’s political future while paving the way for new opportunities, experts say.
John Tory, who served two terms without scandal as mayor of Toronto and had just been re-elected for a third, caused a media whirlwind when he announced his resignation on Friday evening because of an “inappropriate relationship” with an employee of his office.
His resignation comes a few days before the presentation of the budget before the municipal council. In addition, public attention is increasingly focused on issues such as homelessness and transit crime.
Matt Siemiatycki, a professor of geography and urban planning at the University of Toronto, says these issues and recent legislation underscore the importance of mayorship in the Queen City.
The new “An Act to improve municipal governance”, passed by the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, gives “significant powers” to the mayors of Toronto and Ottawa. They can now enact regulations if more than a third of the members of the municipal council vote in favor, and no longer a simple majority.
“With him gone, there is a real vacuum of power and uncertainty,” says Matt Siemiatycki.
In October 2022, despite high real estate prices, aging infrastructure, overflowing garbage cans and lack of maintenance in municipal parks, John Tory had obtained 64% of the votes cast.
The municipal elections have changed the dynamism of the municipal council. Several newcomers were elected, bringing with them new perspectives.
“With the mayor gone, some of the measures he held in place could be reconsidered. The new board could go in new directions,” says Siemiatycki.
Susannah Bunce, an associate professor in the University of Toronto’s human geography department, hopes the next mayor will be able to use her new powers to build affordable housing and expand social services.
She wants John Tory’s successor to turn his attention to the growing disparities between wealthy Torontonians and those struggling to make ends meet.
“The new mayor will have to have a broader long-term vision. It should not be content with attracting developers, but deal with equitable development. »
Cathy Crowe, a street nurse, hopes John Tory’s resignation will change the political dynamism on city council, allowing elected officials to think independently of the next mayor.
“Everyone feels that it was the mayor himself who controlled the decisions of the municipal council,” she maintains.
Councilors will discuss the 2023 budget during a session on Wednesday.
Ms Crowe expects “chaos”. She would like a number of items in the budget to be examined more deeply, such as the increase of $800,000 for the expenses of the mayor’s office and the granting of $3 million to private security firms to patrol municipal parks. .
Ontario Premier Doug Ford praised Tory’s work as mayor and thanked him for his contribution to public service.
“John will be remembered as a dedicated and hardworking mayor who was a consistent leader during the difficult times of the pandemic,” Ford said in a statement Saturday morning.
According to provincial law, a by-election must be held within 60 days of the date the office of mayor officially becomes vacant. Gil Penelosa, runner-up in last year’s ballot, has confirmed he will run again.