John Tory will step down as mayor of Toronto after having an affair with one of his office workers during the pandemic.
Tory announced Friday night that he was stepping down in a surprise press conference, where he revealed the relationship, which he said: “does not meet the standards by which I consider myself mayor and mayor.” is a family man.”
Tory said: “I realized that allowing this relationship to flourish was a serious misjudgment in my judgment.
“I am deeply sorry and I am deeply sorry to the people of Toronto and to everyone who has been hurt by my actions, including my staff, my colleagues on the City Council and the public service. plus that I have a lot of respect for.”
He also apologized to his wife Barbara Hackett and family. They have been married since 1978. The couple met when former cable executive Rogers was in law school. They have four children and six grandchildren.
Tory admitted that he began the affair when he and his wife “had been separated for long periods of time while I carried out my responsibilities during the pandemic.”
Tory said the case ended with mutual consent earlier this year, and the employee left town hall and took another job elsewhere.
“Although I deeply regret leaving the job I love, but in the city that I love even more, I believe in my heart, it is best to devote yourself fully to the necessary work. to mend these most important relationships,” Tory said.
Toronto Mayor John Tory arrives for a press conference at City Hall in Toronto on Friday, February 10, 2023. (CANADIAN REPORT Arlyn McAdorey)
He did not take any questions from reporters after reading his prepared statement.
The 68-year-old was first elected mayor in 2014, replacing the late Rob Ford, whose time in office was rife with scandals. Tory will be re-elected in 2018 and 2022 and will become the city’s longest-serving mayor if he ends his current term.
“I think it’s important, as I always do, that the mayor’s office isn’t tarnished in any way and doesn’t see the city government going through a lengthy period of controversy arising from the typo. this price from my side, especially in light of some of the challenges we face as a city,” he said.
The announcement comes days before his first budget under the new powerful mayor is debated at a special council meeting on Feb. 15. The city is facing a shortfall of nearly $1 billion dollars due to the financial impact of the pandemic.
Toronto Mayor John Tory speaks during a news conference at City Hall in Toronto on Friday, February 10, 2023. (CANADIAN REPORT Arlyn McAdorey)
Tory said he will work with the city manager, city secretary and Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie in the coming days to ensure an orderly transition.
He added that he had asked the integrity commissioner to review the relationship.
“I want to thank the people of Toronto for trusting me as mayor,” Tory said. “It’s been the work of a lifetime. And although I’ve let them and my family down in this case, I’m extremely honored to have the opportunity to serve the people of this wonderful city. “
