It’s official, John Tory has resigned from his mayoral duties and will step down as of Friday.
On Wednesday, Toronto City Clerk John D. Elvidge received Tory’s resignation letter which states that the soon-to-be former mayor will be out of office at 5 p.m. sharp.
NEXT STEPS
So, what does this mean for Toronto? According to the city, the next steps will be working with Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie who will become acting mayor and “assumes certain rights, powers and authorities of the Mayor granted by City Council,” the City of Toronto’s website stated.
Read more: Here’s what you should know about Toronto’s acting mayor
Additionally, the city says it will continue the “uninterrupted delivery of City programs and services while working to fill the role of Mayor of Toronto.”
THE MAYORAL TRANSITION
The city’s mayoral transition process was also released.
In it, it details how the acting mayor will show up to the next scheduled meeting of council to formally declare the office of the mayor vacant and pass a bylaw that will authorize the filling of the mayor’s chair by way of a by-election, which will take place at the next council meeting set for March 29.
Nominations for a by-election will be open the next business day following the announcement.
Anyone interested and eligible can file a nomination at Toronto City Hall.
Read more: 6 politicians who could possibly run for mayor of Toronto following Tory’s exit
THE LAST BUDGET MEETING
Toronto city council held their 2023 budget meeting on Wednesday and all eyes were on Mayor John Tory following his affair scandal.
Tory agreed to attend the gathering held at city hall to discuss “an orderly transition,” according to the mayor’s office.
Unfortunately for him, it was nothing short of disorderly. He was booed by the crowd resulting in some members of the public getting kicked out by security.
He began the session by laying out Toronto’s $16 billion spending package. This included some controversial spending, such as the $48-million increase for police, cuts to the TTC budget and a property tax hike.
The budget was subsequently approved by the city council.
