Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie is the new acting mayor following the swift resignation of John Tory, after his office affair was revealed.
On Friday evening, Tory confessed to being in an affair with a former staffer in his office during the pandemic. He then announced that he was stepping down.
As deputy mayor, McKelvie will temporarily take over leadership until a by-election is held.
A by-election should be held within 60 days, according to the Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act 2022, passed last September.
“If a vacancy occurs in the office of head of council, the City shall, subject to subsection (3) and in accordance with the regulations, if any, require a by-election to be held, in accordance with the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, to fill the vacancy,” stated in the City of Toronto Act.
McKelvie is the councilor of Ward 25 Scarborough-Rouge Park, marking her second term in that seat after winning in the Oct. 2022 election. Tory also appointed her as deputy mayor after the election.
McKelvie has a history of community service and is the former president of the Scarborough Community Renewal Organization. She serves as chair of Toronto’s Infrastructure and Environment Committee, where she implements the city’s Vision Zero road safety strategy. She also sits on the Toronto Hydro Corporation Board of Directors, on the Toronto Zoo Board of Management and is a member of the Toronto Region Conservation Authority.
Her work thus far is in favour of the city’s automated speed enforcement program, road design improvements, and she also lobbied for an investment to extend the subway to Scarborough’s Town Centre.
Prior to becoming an elected representative and deputy mayor, McKelvie was an environmental geoscientist by profession and earned a PhD in Geology from the University of Toronto.
McKelvie has not formally commented on Tory’s resignation.
Toronto is expected to have an officially elected mayor sometime in the spring.
