TORONTO– Mayor John Tory surprised Torontonians and the political sphere late Friday when he confessed to having an “improper relationship” with a previous member of his personnel and suddenly revealed strategies to resign from the city’s leading task. TORONTO– Mayor John Tory surprised Torontonians and the political sphere late Friday when he confessed to having an “unsuitable relationship” with a previous member of his personnel and suddenly revealed strategies to resign from the city’s leading task. Tory’s unexpected resignation has actually left numerous concerns about what lies ahead for Toronto and the city’s governance in the coming days, weeks and months. Here’s what to anticipate: Who is mayor of Toronto? Still John Tory– in the meantime. City spokesperson Mike Hajmasy states Tory has actually not sent an official letter of resignation to the City Clerk since Saturday and for that reason stays mayor. As soon as a resignation has actually been gotten, Hajmasy states the city will have the ability to recommend on timelines and next actions. It is uncertain when Tory prepares to send a resignation letter. What takes place when Tory officially resigns? When Toronto’s city clerk gets Tory’s resignation letter, city board will require to state the mayor’s workplace uninhabited. That might occur as early as Wednesday, when councillors are set to dispute the city’s proposed 2023 spending plan– which Tory had sole duty to prepare under the province’s “strong mayor” powers. As soon as the mayor’s workplace is stated uninhabited, the clock begins ticking towards a byelection to change Tory, which should be held within 60 days. What will a byelection appear like? In previous years, the city had the ability to designate a follower to fill the mayor’s seat. Due to the province’s “strong mayor” legislation, Toronto is needed to hold a byelection for the mayor’s workplace. That implies Torontonians will go back to the surveys simply months after October’s community election saw Tory cruise to what was expected to be a 3rd complete term. It will be the duty of Toronto’s city clerk to administer the byelection. The city clerk will set a due date for prospects to submit their election documents and election day would happen 45 days after that, according to Ontario’s Municipal Elections Act. Gil Penalosa, who was Tory’s runner-up in October’s community election, has actually currently revealed his strategies to run once again on the very same platform. Penalosa got simply 18 percent of the vote in that election, compared to Tory’s about 62 percent. Who will take control of as interim mayor? Jennifer McKelvie, councillor for Scarborough-Rouge Park and the city’s deputy leader, will likely handle the function of interim mayor once the workplace is stated uninhabited. As deputy mayor, McKelvie currently has the power to serve as mayor when the mayor is far from the city, missing due to disease or when the mayor’s workplace is uninhabited. McKelvie is a relative beginner to town hall, having actually been chosen in 2018 after directly beating incumbent Neethan Shan by taking 40.2 percent of the vote. She was re-elected in October with 72 percent of the vote and designated deputy mayor by Tory in November. Her ballot performance history at town hall has actually normally remained in line with Tory’s. This report by The Canadian Press was very first released Feb. 11, 2023.—— This story was produced with the monetary help of the Meta and Canadian Press News Fellowship. Tyler Griffin, The Canadian Press
How will Toronto’s transfer of mayoral powers work? An explainer on what lies ahead
