“I will leave my post as mayor in order to take the time to reflect on my mistakes and to rebuild the confidence of my family”. This was announced by John Tory, the mayor of the Queen City, in an impromptu press conference on Friday evening, admitting to having had a “relationship” with an employee “who does not correspond to the standards” required by her position.
His announcement came barely an hour after the Toronto Star revealed that Mr. Tory maintained this relationship “for months”. The mayor said the relationship ended by “mutual consent” earlier this year. He added that the employee found work with another employer before the relationship ended.
“It was a serious misjudgment,” Tory said. It happened when Barbara, my wife of over 40, and I [étions souvent séparés l’un de l’autre], and that I assumed my responsibilities during the pandemic. He apologized to Torontonians, his employees, his colleges, City officials, “and most importantly, to [sa] woman and to [sa] family “.
The mayor said he informed the city’s integrity commissioner, Jonathan Batty, of the situation, and asked his office to look into it. He added that he would also work with the city manager, city clerk and deputy mayors to ensure an “orderly transition” in the coming days. City Councilor and Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie is her designated successor.
Mr. Tory had been in office since December 1, 2014. He then beat Doug Ford, who is now Premier of Ontario, brother of the late Mayor, Rob Ford, as well as Olivia Chow, the former New Democrat MP and widow of Jack Layton. Last October, he was re-elected for a third and final term, since he had declared that he would not run again. Mr Tory has enjoyed strong support from his constituents for most of his eight years in office.