{"id":13206,"date":"2023-02-16T05:27:25","date_gmt":"2023-02-16T13:27:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/toronto-mayor-john-tory-submits-formal-resignation-after-budget-approved\/"},"modified":"2023-02-16T05:27:26","modified_gmt":"2023-02-16T13:27:26","slug":"toronto-mayor-john-tory-submits-formal-resignation-after-budget-approved","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/toronto-mayor-john-tory-submits-formal-resignation-after-budget-approved\/","title":{"rendered":"Toronto Mayor John Tory submits formal resignation after budget approved"},"content":{"rendered":"

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TORONTO \u2014 John\u00a0Tory, who shocked Toronto residents with his admission of an affair with a former staffer, submitted his formal resignation from the mayor\u2019s office late Wednesday shortly after councillors approved what became his final budget.<\/p>\n

Tory, 68, admitted last week to an \u201cinappropriate relationship\u201d with someone who used to work for him and said he\u2019d be stepping down. His office later said he\u2019d stay on as mayor for this week\u2019s debate on his fiscal plan.<\/p>\n

Tory\u00a0defended his budget before councillors Wednesday night, saying it was the best plan for challenging times, and did not exercise his veto power on amendments made. Barely an hour later, he submitted his letter of resignation to the city clerk saying his last day as mayor would be Friday.<\/p>\n

\u201cI continue to be deeply sorry and apologize unreservedly to the people of Toronto and to all those hurt by my actions without exception,\u201d Tory\u00a0wrote in the letter.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis has been the job of a lifetime, and while I have let many people, including myself, down in this instance, I have nonetheless been deeply honoured by the opportunity to serve the people of this wonderful city for more than eight years and I hope I achieved some good for the city I truly love.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tory\u00a0said he will spend the next two days in meetings with Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie and city staff to ensure an orderly transition.<\/p>\n

He added that he hoped to be a \u201ccontributing citizen\u201d in different ways because he loved the people of Toronto.<\/p>\n

The resignation letter put an end to the uncertainty that swirled about just when\u00a0Tory\u00a0would officially resign.<\/p>\n

He faced several calls to stay in office despite the controversy that engulfed him since Friday, with Premier Doug Ford among those who wanted\u00a0Tory\u00a0to remain at the city\u2019s helm.<\/p>\n

Ford said\u00a0Tory\u00a0had been a \u201cphenomenal partner\u201d and it was not time to change the leadership of the city because everything was going \u201ctickety-boo.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf a lefty mayor gets in there, God help the people of Toronto,\u201d the premier said in Brampton, Ont., after making an unrelated announcement.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf a left-wing mayor gets in there, we\u2019re toast. I\u2019ll tell you, it\u2019d be a disaster.\u201d<\/p>\n

The premier \u2013 who served on Toronto city council with his late brother, former mayor Rob Ford \u2013 didn\u2019t directly comment on the reason\u00a0Tory\u00a0announced his resignation, saying what happens in the mayor\u2019s private life is \u201cstrictly up to the mayor and their family.\u201d<\/p>\n

Several\u00a0Tory\u00a0council allies had also pressed the mayor to stay on.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur recommendation is that he take some time off, wait for the integrity commissioner\u2019s report and then that will be tabled at council \u2013 we\u2019ll make a decision,\u201d Coun. James Pasternak said early Wednesday.<\/p>\n

But Coun. Gord Perks, a vocal critic of the mayor, said\u00a0Tory\u00a0had to follow through with his resignation.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe has to own it,\u201d Perks said.<\/p>\n

The budget that saw\u00a0Tory\u00a0linger on in office was his first under new strong mayor powers granted by the provincial government.<\/p>\n

Those powers gave\u00a0Tory\u00a0a veto over changes and the ability to push through his fiscal plan with only one-third council support.\u00a0Tory\u00a0rose late Wednesday night to say he would not use his veto power.<\/p>\n

The mayor called the budget the toughest he\u2019d worked on \u2013 he was elected to a third term in October \u2013 due to issues like rising inflation, supply chain challenges, decreased transit fare revenues and increased shelter costs.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese are very, very challenging times for the budget and for the city,\u201d Tory\u00a0said. \u201cFor us to have come together and made as much progress as we have\u2026I think shows a government working at its best.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tory, who had cultivated an image in office as a straitlaced moderate conservative, did not directly address his looming departure at the budget meeting, nor did the councillors around him.<\/p>\n

Controversial proposals in the document included a hike to the police budget, cuts to transit service and a growing infrastructure backlog.<\/p>\n

One councillor moved an omnibus budget amendment, which passed, to direct $7 million to programs including community investment grants, one 24-7 warming centre and mental health supports for people experiencing homelessness on public transit, among other items.<\/p>\n

Another motion, brought by newcomer Coun. Alejandra Bravo attempted to redirect $900,000 from the police budget to providing 24-7 respite centres for people experiencing homelessness but did not pass.<\/p>\n

The budget contains\u00a0Tory\u2019s proposed $48.3-million increase to the police budget. That would bring police funding to just over $1.1 billion for 2023.<\/p>\n

Earlier in the day, Toronto police chief Myron Demkiw defended the boost, saying he\u2019s heard from the public and through polling that there is demand for more police.<\/p>\n

Council also approved a combined seven per cent property tax increase for all residential households, the largest increase in decades.<\/p>\n

Tory\u2019s departure Friday means a byelection will eventually be held to fill his position.<\/p>\n

\u00a9 2023 The Canadian Press<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n