Canadian Mayor Abruptly Resigns After Newspaper Exposes His Affair With Staffer

The mayor of Toronto, the capital city of the Canadian province of Ontario, resigned suddenly Friday during a news conference in his city hall office.

John Tory issued his surprise announcement one hour after The Toronto Star revealed the married 68-year-old mayor had an affair with a 31-year-old political staffer.

“I’m deeply sorry and I apologize unreservedly to the people of Toronto and to all those hurt by my actions,” Tory stated in a press conference. The mayor noted the liaison began during the pandemic and the woman had since moved to a job outside city hall. Tory added he is stepping away from politics to try to repair ties with his wife and four children.

Tory said the relationship developed when he and his wife Barbara were spending “many lengthy periods apart.”

Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie will serve as Toronto’s interim mayor, according to the Star report.

Canada’s Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, enacted last September, stipulates, “[I]f a vacancy occurs in the office of head of council, the city shall … require a by-election to be held … to fill the vacancy.”

“Within 60 days after the day a declaration of vacancy is made,” the recent legislation decrees, “the City shall pass a by-law requiring a by-election to be held to fill the vacancy.” An exception is carved out if the vacancy occurs within 90 days prior to a regular election’s voting day.

If McKelvie is not elected in the election scheduled for sometime in the next two months, the city will have three mayors in as many months.

“It’s a very disappointing night,” Ward 11 Councilwoman Dianne Saxe reportedly said after Friday night’s mayoral announcement. Saxe expressed deep disappointed with the mayor for having a relationship with a woman working in his office. The councilwoman said she is sad for the pain and embarrassment to his family.

“This is an abuse of the office of the mayor,” she added.

Saxe also expressed concern about the future of Toronto finances. The city must pay for the by-election but, more importatnly, the budget hinges on the mayor’s ability to negotiate billion of dollars in provincial and federal handouts.