John Howard Tory OOnt KC (born May 28, 1954) is a Canadian broadcaster, businessman, and former politician who served as the 65th mayor of Toronto from 2014 to 2023. He served as leader of the Official Opposition in Ontario from 2005 to 2007 while he was leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario from 2004 to 2009.

John Tory
Tory in 2018
65th Mayor of Toronto
In office
December 1, 2014 – February 17, 2023
Deputy
Preceded byRob Ford
Succeeded byOlivia Chow
Ontario provincial politics
Leader of the Opposition in Ontario
In office
March 29, 2005 – October 10, 2007
Preceded byBob Runciman
Succeeded byBob Runciman
Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario
In office
September 28, 2004 – March 20, 2009
Preceded byErnie Eves
Succeeded byBob Runciman (interim)
Member of the Ontario Provincial Parliament
for Dufferin—Peel—Wellington—Grey
In office
March 29, 2005 – October 10, 2007
Preceded byErnie Eves
Succeeded bySylvia Jones
Personal details
Born
John Howard Tory

(1954-05-28) May 28, 1954 (age 70)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Political partyIndependent[a]
Other political
affiliations
Progressive Conservative
Federal PC (until 1995)
Spouse
Barbara Hackett
(m. 1978)
Children4
Parents
RelativesJohn S. D. Tory (grandfather)
James Marshall Tory (uncle)
Residence(s)Toronto, Ontario
Alma materUniversity of Toronto (BA)
Osgoode Hall Law School (LLB)
Occupation
  • Politician
  • lawyer
  • businessman

After a career as a lawyer, political strategist and businessman, Tory ran as a mayoral candidate in the 2003 Toronto municipal election and lost to David Miller. Tory was subsequently elected as Ontario PC leader from 2004 to 2009, and was a member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario representing Dufferin—Peel—Wellington—Grey and serving as the leader of the Opposition in Ontario from 2005 to 2007. After his resignation as PC leader in 2009, Tory became a radio talk show host on CFRB. Despite widespread speculation, Tory did not run for mayor again in 2010. He was also the volunteer chair of the non-profit group CivicAction from 2010 to 2014.

On October 27, 2014, Tory was elected mayor of Toronto, defeating incumbent mayor Rob Ford's brother, councillor Doug Ford and former councillor and member of Parliament (MP) Olivia Chow. On October 22, 2018, he was re-elected mayor of Toronto in the 2018 mayoral election, defeating former chief city planner Jennifer Keesmaat.[1] He was elected to a third term as mayor on October 24, 2022, after defeating urbanist Gil Penalosa.[2] He announced his intention to imminently resign as mayor on February 10, 2023, after admitting to having an affair with a staffer during the COVID-19 pandemic.[3][4] He submitted his resignation letter to the city clerk on February 15, and formally left office on February 17, at 5 p.m.[5] Tory was succeeded by Olivia Chow as mayor of Toronto.

Early life and education

edit

John Howard Tory, the eldest of four, was born on May 28, 1954, in Toronto, Ontario,[6] to Elizabeth (née Bacon) and John A. Tory, president of Thomson Investments Limited and a director of Rogers Communications.[7] His grandfather was lawyer John S. D. Tory and his great-grandfather founded Sun Life of Canada.[8]

He attended the University of Toronto Schools, at the time a publicly-funded high school affiliated with the University of Toronto.[9][10] He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Trinity College at the University of Toronto in 1975.[11] He received his Bachelor of Laws degree in 1978 from Osgoode Hall Law School of York University.[12] He was called to the bar in Ontario in 1980.[12]

Business and early political career

edit

From 1972 to 1979, Tory was hired by family friend Ted Rogers as a journalist for Rogers Broadcasting's Toronto radio stations CFTR and CHFI. From 1980 to 1981, and later from 1986 to 1995, Tory held various positions at Tory, Tory, DesLauriers & Binnington including partner, managing partner, and member of the Executive Committee.[13]

From 1981 to 1985, Tory served in the office of the premier of Ontario, Bill Davis, as principal secretary to the premier and associate secretary of the cabinet. After Davis retired as premier in 1985, Tory joined the office of the Canadian Special Envoy on Acid Rain, as special advisor. The special envoy had been appointed by the Mulroney government to review matters of air quality with a United States counterpart. Tory supported Dianne Cunningham's bid to lead the Ontario PCs in 1990.[14]

Tory later served as tour director and campaign chairman to then Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, and managed the 1993 federal election campaign of Mulroney's successor, Kim Campbell. In his role as the Progressive Conservative campaign co-manager that year, he authorized two infamous campaign ads that ridiculed Liberal candidate Jean Chretien's face, which is partially paralyzed due to a childhood disease. The ads were greeted with much outcry among the Canadian public. They were withdrawn ten days after their first airings, and the Progressive Conservatives would proceed to be decimated in the federal election.[15]

From 1995 to 1999, he returned to Rogers Communications, but this time as president and CEO of Rogers Media[16] which had become one of Canada's largest publishing and broadcasting companies. Rogers has interests in radio and television stations, internet, specialty television channels, consumer magazines, trade magazines and, at the time, the Toronto Sun and the Sun newspaper chain.

In 1999, he became president and CEO of Rogers subsidiary Rogers Cable, which he led through a period of transition from a monopoly environment to an open marketplace, overseeing a significant increase in operating income. Tory stepped down after Ted Rogers announced that he would stay on as president and CEO of parent company Rogers Communications. He served as the ninth commissioner of the Canadian Football League from 1996 to 2000.[16] Tory later was a board member of Rogers between 2010 and 2014, stepping down to run for Mayor of Toronto.[17]

Tory continued to have an interest in being a broadcaster throughout his life and, as a Rogers executive, hosted a public affairs program on Rogers Cable's community access channel for many years. He sat as a board member of Metro Inc., the Quebec-based parent corporation for Metro and Food Basics grocery stores.[18]

First campaign for mayor (2003)

edit

After six years as a key backer of retiring Toronto Mayor Mel Lastman, Tory ran in the November 2003 election for mayor of Toronto. He finished in second place, behind councillor David Miller and ahead of former mayor Barbara Hall, former councillor and MP John Nunziata, and former councillor and budget chief Tom Jakobek.

Tory and Miller both entered the race with limited name recognition and support, but each quickly claimed a core base—Miller among progressives and Tory among more conservative voters. Meanwhile, Hall's initially commanding lead slowly dissipated over the course of the campaign, and the campaigns of both Nunziata and Jakobek were sidelined by controversies.[citation needed]. One of his campaign co-chairs was Mitzie Hunter.[19]

Tory also accepted an endorsement from the Toronto Police Association. He held the traditional suburban conservative vote that had helped to elect Mel Lastman in the 1997 mayor's campaign, but lost the overall vote to Miller in a close race. After the election, Tory helped Miller and Hall raise funds to repay their campaign debts.[citation needed]

Leader of the Ontario PC Party

edit

In March 2004, Tory hinted that he would be seeking the leadership of the Progressive Conservatives, after Ernie Eves announced his intention to resign from that post. The provincial PC leadership election was announced for September 18, 2004, and Tory made his candidacy official on May 6, 2004. John Laschinger was appointed to be Tory's campaign manager. Tory won the support of former provincial cabinet ministers Elizabeth Witmer, David Tsubouchi, Jim Wilson, Janet Ecker, Chris Hodgson, Cam Jackson, Phil Gillies and Bob Runciman as well as backbench members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) Norm Miller, Laurie Scott, Ted Arnott and John O'Toole.

Tory's opponents for the leadership post were former provincial minister of finance Jim Flaherty and Oak Ridges MPP Frank Klees. Tory defeated Flaherty with 54 per cent on the second ballot. When Flaherty later left provincial politics to seek a seat in the House of Commons as a member of the Conservative Party of Canada, Tory endorsed his former rival in the 2006 election; Flaherty was elected and was appointed the federal minister of finance. Tory also campaigned prominently with Flaherty's wife Christine Elliott in the provincial by-election held March 30, enabling her to win the seat formerly held by her husband.

Tory told the media in November 2004 that he would seek election to the legislature in time for the spring 2005 legislative session.

On January 31, 2005, after much public speculation and some delay, Ernie Eves resigned his seat and cleared the way for Tory to run in Dufferin—Peel—Wellington—Grey, the safest PC seat in the province. As a "parachute candidate", Tory faced some criticism about his commitment to the riding. Nevertheless, he easily won the March 17, 2005 by-election with 56 per cent of the vote. Former premier Bill Davis appeared for Tory's first session in the legislature as PC leader.

2007 Ontario general election

edit
 
Tory in Guelph, September 24, 2007

In the 2007 general election, Tory ran in the Toronto riding of Don Valley West, the area where he grew up, raised his family and lived most of his life.

Tory released his platform on June 9, 2007. The platform, A Plan for a Better Ontario, commits a PC government to eliminate the health care tax introduced by the previous government, put scrubbers on coal-fired power plants,[20] address Ontario's doctor shortage,[21] allow new private health care partnerships provided services are paid by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP),[22] impose more penalties on illegal land occupations in response to the Caledonia land dispute,[23] fast-track the building of nuclear power plants,[24] and invest the gas tax in public transit and roads.[25] A costing of the platform released in August estimated that the PC promises would cost an additional $14 billion over four years.[26]

The PC campaign was formally launched on September 3.[27] Most of the campaign was dominated by discussion of his plan to extend public funding to Ontario's faith-based separate schools,[28] during which Tory supported allowing the teaching of creationism in religious studies classes.[29] Earlier in the year, indications were that the party would have been a strong contender to win the election, but the school funding promise resulted in the Liberals regaining the lead in popular support for the duration of the campaign.[30] Later in the campaign, in the face of heavy opposition, Tory promised a free vote on the issue.[31]

With the beginning of the official campaign period on September 10, the PC campaign made clear its intention to make the previous government's record a key issue. In particular, Tory focused on the Liberals' 2003 election and 2004 pre-budget promise not to raise taxes and their subsequent imposition of a health care tax.[32]

On election night, the PCs made minor gains and remained the Official Opposition while Dalton McGuinty's Liberals were re-elected with a majority. Tory was defeated in Don Valley West by the incumbent Ontario Liberal MPP, Minister of Education Kathleen Wynne.[33] Although Tory was defeated in both his riding of Don Valley West and the race for the premiership, he said that he would stay on as leader unless the party wanted him to resign.[30][34]

Leading from outside the legislature

edit

As a result of the election loss, the party decided to hold a leadership review vote at its 2008 general party meeting in London.[35] Tory received 66.9 percent support, lower than internal tracking which showed him in the more comfortable 70 percent range. Three hours after the leadership review vote, Tory announced to the delegates that he would be staying on as leader.[36] He came under heavy criticism from several party members following this delay, with his opponents signalling that they would continue to call for an end to what they called his 'weak' leadership.[37] Other party members supported Tory, saying that his opponents should accept the results and move on.[36][37]

Throughout 2008, Tory's leadership of the party was perceived to be tenuous, as he faced widespread criticism for his seeming failure to convince a sitting MPP to resign in order to open a seat for him. Most notably, Bill Murdoch called for Tory to resign as party leader in September, resulting in his suspension from the party caucus on September 12.[38] Six days later, Murdoch was permanently expelled from the party caucus. In December 2008, media pundits speculated that Prime Minister Stephen Harper would appoint PC MPP Bob Runciman to the Senate in order to clear the way for Tory to run in Runciman's comfortably safe riding of Leeds—Grenville. However, Harper did not do so.

On January 9, 2009, PC MPP Laurie Scott announced her resignation from the legislature, allowing Tory to run in the resulting by-election in Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock, a normally safe PC riding in central Ontario. In exchange for agreeing to resign, Scott was given the post of chair of the party's election preparedness committee until the 2011 election, and $100,000 in severance pay.[39][40] On March 5, 2009, he lost the by-election to Liberal candidate Rick Johnson.[41] Tory announced his resignation from the party leadership the next day and was succeeded by Bob Runciman as interim leader; Runciman had served twice as leader of the opposition during the two times Tory did not have a seat in the legislature. Niagara West—Glanbrook MPP Tim Hudak won the 2009 Ontario Progressive Conservative leadership election to become party leader and opposition leader.[42]

Return to broadcasting

edit
 
Tory seated at a television studio set with Sandra Pupatello in January 2013

Several weeks following the end of his provincial political career, Tory announced he was returning to broadcasting, to host a Sunday evening phone-in show on Toronto talk radio station CFRB. The John Tory Show simulcast on CHAM in Hamilton and CKTB in St. Catharines.[43] He was also looking for opportunities in business, law or the non-profit sector.[44]

In the fall of 2009, CFRB moved Tory to its Monday to Friday afternoon slot, for a new show, Live Drive, airing from 4pm to 7pm.[45] The show first broadcast on October 5, 2009.[46]

Tory was considering challenging incumbent Toronto Mayor David Miller in the 2010 municipal election as was Ontario Deputy Premier George Smitherman.[45] On September 25, 2009, Miller announced he was not running for re-election.[47] Tory announced on January 7 that he was not running in order to continue his radio show and also become head of the Toronto City Summit Alliance.[48][49][50][51][52] On August 5, 2010, after a week of press speculation that he was about to re-enter the race, Tory confirmed that he would not be running in 2010 for mayor of Toronto.[53]

Tory's last broadcast was February 21, 2014, after which he declared his candidacy for mayor.[54]

Mayor of Toronto (2014–2023)

edit

Elections

edit
 
Tory on stage with other mayoral candidates prior to a debate, June 2014

Tory registered as a candidate for the 2014 Toronto mayoral election on February 24, 2014. In his launch video he stated that building a Yonge Street relief line was "job one" if elected mayor.[55] On May 27, he announced his Toronto relief plan, entitled SmartTrack, providing electric commuter rail along existing GO train infrastructure with service from Unionville to Pearson Airport.[56][57] SmartTrack construction has still not begun as well as having seen several changes.[58] On October 27, 2014, Tory was elected as mayor of Toronto.[59]

Tory became mayor of Toronto on December 1, 2014. He spent his first day meeting with Premier Kathleen Wynne, emphasizing the importance of working with other levels of government. He also announced that Councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong would be his deputy mayor. Minnan-Wong remained in the position for two terms, but did not seek re-election in 2022, and Tory selected Councillor Jennifer McKelvie as deputy mayor for his third term.[60][61]

 
The percentage of the vote won by John Tory in each municipal ward in Toronto's 2018 mayoral election

On May 1, 2018, Tory registered his candidacy for re-election.[62] Tory retained a high approval rating at 58%, with only 24% disapproving, and 18% undecided. He was a front runner in the polls for the mayoral election at 65–70% support.[63] Tory was re-elected mayor of Toronto on October 22, 2018, defeating former chief city planner Jennifer Keesmaat with 63.49% of the vote.[64][65]

Tory was re-elected to a third term in 2022, defeating urbanist Gil Penalosa with 62% of the vote.[66]

Community safety and policing

edit

Tory has sat on the Toronto Police Services Board (TPSB) since his election as mayor in 2014. The TPSB oversees the Toronto Police Service (TPS) by hiring the chief of police, setting policies, and approving the annual police budget.

Community contacts policy (carding)

edit

Soon after the 2014 election, the TPSB quashed rules governing the use of the community contacts policy ("carding"),[67] a controversial practice allowing police to randomly and routinely stop and demand identification and personal information from any individual deemed suspicious.[68] The information collected is kept on record for an unspecified period and is easily accessible by police officers.[68] Opponents allege it disproportionately targets Black people.[69] The previous rules, brought in by former police chief Bill Blair, had required police to inform stopped individuals of their rights and to keep a record of each stop.[68] Blair had also suspended the practice pending new rules.[68]

Despite public demand to completely end carding, Tory initially defended the policy in general, stating it should be reformed, but not stopped.[69] The practice was defended by the police union, which maintained that it was a "proven, pro-active police investigative strategy that reduces, prevents and solves crime".[70] On June 7, 2015, Tory called for an end to the policy, describing it as "illegitimate, disrespectful and hurtful" and stating it had "eroded the public trust".[70] In the TPSB meeting on June 18, Tory introduced a motion to end carding,[71] however, the motion was subsequently amended to return to an initial 2014 version of the policy, which required officers to notify those they stop that the contact is voluntary and issue a physical receipt following the interaction.[72][73] Carding was effectively ended province-wide in 2017 when the provincial community safety minister, Yasir Naqvi, issued a regulation banning police from collecting data arbitrarily.[74][75]

Police reform

edit

On June 25, 2020, in response to calls for police reform following the murder of George Floyd in the United States and a series of similar incidents in Toronto such as the death of Regis Korchinski-Paquet,[76] councillors Josh Matlow and Kristyn Wong-Tam introduced a motion to cut the Toronto police budget by $122 million, or 10 per cent, and reallocate funds to community programming.[77][78] Tory, along with a majority of council, rejected the proposal, instead passing a series of motions supported by Tory which did not include immediate defunding of the police.[79] Among the motions included the creation of a non-police crisis response pilot program and a $5 million funding increase to allow for front-line officers to be equipped with body cameras.[79][80] Tory claimed that a reduction in budget was likely if the program was successful.[76]

During his term of office, he insisted on strengthening the resources of the police, the municipality's main financial asset. The priority given to the police was at the expense of social services and housing, whose budgets were reduced.[81]

Toronto Community Crisis Service

edit

At its meeting on June 25, 2020, Toronto City Council considered a series of motions aimed at reforming policing and crisis response in the city.[82] Tory tabled a motion to "detask" the police. The city would explore how duties currently assigned to sworn officers would be assumed by "alternative models of community safety response" to incidents where neither violence nor weapons are at issue.[76][83] The proposal would "commit that its first funding priority for future budgets [be] centered [sic] on a robust system of social supports and services" and make an itemized line-by-line breakdown of the police budget public; a reduction in the police budget would likely ensue, according to the motion.[76] Tory's motion passed unanimously on June 29.[82]

On January 26, 2022, the Executive Committee approved a staff report outlining an implementation plan for the pilot program.[84][85] It was subsequently adopted by city council on February 2.[85] According to Tory, "the pilots will allow the city to test and to evaluate and to revise this model before we implement it on a larger scale but make no mistake it is our intention to implement it on a larger scale and to have it city-wide by 2025 at the latest".[84]

In March 2022, the city launched the Toronto Community Crisis Service pilot program.[86]

TTC safety

edit

In 2022 and 2023, Toronto saw a series of violent incidents on the transit system, which saw employees and passengers seriously injured or killed in seemingly random attacks.[87] Union leaders and passenger advocacy groups demanded action from the city, calling for increased mental health programs, social services and security.[88][89] On January 26, 2023, Tory, along with police chief Myron Demkiw and TTC CEO Rick Leary announced that the city would deploy 80 additional police officers to patrol the transit system, using off-duty officers in an overtime capacity.[90] Additionally, the TTC announced it would deploy 20 workers to provide outreach services to the homeless population on the TTC, and 50 security guards.[91][92]

Transportation

edit

SmartTrack

edit

As part of his campaign in 2014, Tory proposed utilizing existing GO Transit rail corridors to construct an above ground relief line, building on the existing GO Regional Express Rail expansion plan. The proposal would see the service operate 22 "surface subway" stations alongside GO trains from Mississauga's Airport Corporate Centre south through Etobicoke towards Union Station, then north towards Markham.[93][94] Tory initially said that the proposal would cost $8 billion, with the city covering $2.5 billion, funded through tax increment financing,[93] and that SmartTrack would be completed in seven years.[95]

After his election, as city and Metrolinx staff began studying his proposal, SmartTrack plans began to change, with stations changing, and questions raised surrounding the costs and integration. An updated plan saw the western portion being dropped in favour of extending the Eglinton Crosstown LRT.[96][97] As other transit projects emerged, such as the Ontario Line, stations were dropped which would be serviced by new proposals.[98]

The plan currently in place sees the construction of five new transit stations being completed in 2026, at a cost of $1.463 billion to the city.[98][99]

Scarborough Subway extension

edit

Tory supports a one-stop extension of Toronto subway Line 2 to serve a proposed transit hub at the Scarborough Town Centre[100] as opposed to the three-stop Scarborough previously approved and fully funded under Ford.[101][102][103] The LRT alternative failed in council in 2016.[104] The Scarborough Subway Extension has completed the planning stage and as of 2016 was in the detailed design stage, with an estimated operation date of 2023.[105]

Gardiner Expressway

edit

In 2016, council faced a decision on the future of the elevated portion of the Gardiner Expressway east of Jarvis Street, as the aging structure would require significant renovations it was to remain in service beyond 2020.[106] Citing his election promise to improve traffic, Tory supported a hybrid option, which would see roughly $1 billion spent to reconstruct the structure with on and off ramps reconfigured.[107][108] The alternative proposal would have seen the expressway torn down at a cost of $461 million.[106] On this issue, three members of his executive committee opposed him.[109] Other politicians, including former mayor David Crombie and former chief city planner and 2018 Toronto mayoral candidate Jennifer Keesmaat opposed the renovation of the Gardiner Expressway, and prefer to tear it down instead.[110][111][112]

Road tolls

edit

During the 2003 election, Tory initially positioned himself against road tolls.[113] As mayor, Tory's position softened in 2016 when the city considered how it could raise revenue to fund transit projects.[113] In November 2016, Tory's announced that he would support tolls on the two municipally-owned expressways, the Gardiner Expressway and Don Valley Parkway, which would have raised roughly $200 million annually.[114][115][116] The proposal passed city council, however, as the municipal government is a creation of the provincial legislature, the city would need approval from the province to implement tolls, as the City of Toronto Act, which lays out the city's legal powers did not allow for road tolls.[114]

The provincial government ultimately rejected the idea in January 2017, with Premier Wynne stating that her government could not endorse road tolls on the Gardiner and Don Valley Parkway until better transit alternatives were in place for commuters outside of the city to enter downtown. Wynne instead committed to increasing the municipal share of the gas tax, which would give the city $170 million annually by 2022.[117] While Tory was thankful for the increased gas tax share, he harshly criticized the province for denying the city a long-term option.[117]

During the 2022 municipal election, Tory once again floated the idea of introducing road tolls. The provincial government under Premier Doug Ford once again rejected the idea.[118]

Housing

edit

In 2014, Tory selected Councillor Ana Bailão to be the chair of the affordable housing committee.[119]

Modular housing

edit

In September 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, the city launched a housing response plan which would see 1000 units of modular housing contracted.[120] The initiative identifies city owned sites to place the units and is part of the city's housing strategy.[121]

Toronto Seniors Housing Corporation

edit

In 2021, the city launched a senior-focused social housing provider known as the Toronto Seniors Housing Corporation. It provides housing to 15,000 low and moderate income seniors in 83 Toronto Community Housing Corporation buildings, and employs staff from Toronto Community Housing's former seniors unit.[122][123]

ModernTO

edit

Initially launched in 2019 to optimize the city's office space,[124] the ModernTO initiative was adopted by Toronto City Council in April 2022 and seeks to redevelop a number of city-owned properties as affordable housing. The initiative sees the city reduce its office footprint from 55 to 15 locations by creating office hubs in central buildings such as City Hall, the civic centres and Metro Hall. Eight buildings will be repurposed into affordable housing, creating 500 to 600 units.[125][126]

2023 housing action plan

edit

Following the 2022 election, Tory introduced a suite of proposals in city council which would overhaul the city's housing strategy.[127] The proposals include ending exclusionary zoning, which would update by-laws to legalize laneway suites and garden suites, as well as exempting developments of four units or less from development charges. It includes incentivizing construction of rental housing by reducing fees and charges, the creation of a new Development and Growth Division, which aims at speeding up approval times. The proposal also allocates a portion of city-owned land to be developed by non-profits, asks the province to allow the city to create a "use it or loose it" policy for developers sitting on approved but undeveloped land.[128][127] City staff will report back to council in March 2023 with a report on how to implement the changes.[129]

While introduced with the housing action plan, a separate item includes legalize rooming houses city-wide by March 2024, which was previously deferred due to lack of support on council.[127]

The proposal was described as "a profoundly bold plan" by former chief planner Jennifer Keesmaat, who ran against Tory for mayor in 2018, and praised by housing advocacy groups. Councillor Stephen Holyday described the plan as a "death blow" to detached homes such as those in his Etobicoke Centre ward.[127]

Parks and recreation

edit

Rail Deck Park

edit

In August 2016, Tory proposed the development of a 21-acre greenspace in the downtown core constructed above the Railway Lands. The proposed park would span between the Rogers Centre and Bathurst Street.[130][131] The proposal was priced at $1.66 billion.[132]

The plan was contingent on the city securing air rights to the lands above the railway, owned by Canadian National Railway and Toronto Terminals Railway.[133] A group of private developers disputed this, claiming they had already owned the air rights.[134] City council moved to re-zone the area above the railway for park use only,[134] which would prevent developers from building residential buildings as is the case in the surrounding area.[134] The developers sided with the city in the provincial government's Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT), which sided with the city, noting the growing downtown core and a lack of open space.[135] The developers wished to build a 12-acre park as part of a development of eight condo and office towers.[136]

In May 2021, LPAT issued a new ruling in response to sided with the developers, ruling the city should not have rejected a proposal to build a "mixed use community" over the land.[137][138] The tribunal decision effectively ended the city's plans to develop the land as park space.[139] In a statement, Tory said he was "deeply disappointed" by the ruling and "the possible impact on the future of Rail Deck Park".[137]

The development group plans to build a park at half the size of the city's original proposal, with mixed use towers taking up the remaining space.[140]

COVID-19 pandemic

edit

On March 23, 2020, a state of emergency was declared in Toronto by Tory, amid the COVID-19 pandemic.[141][142] This came six days after Ontario Premier Doug Ford declared a state of emergency in the province,[143] which included prohibition of all public events of over 50 people (later reduced to 5 people on March 28), closure of bars and restaurants (with the exception that restaurants could continue to provide takeout and delivery services) as well as libraries, theatres, cinemas, schools and daycares.[144][145] On March 31, Tory announced that the City of Toronto would cancel all city-led major events, festivals, conferences, permits and cultural programs until June 30.[146]

Beginning after Canada Day, street parking enforcement as well as fare evasion enforcement returned to Toronto and the Toronto Transit Commission respectively.[147] From July 2, 2020, face masks or coverings were required to be worn on the TTC.[148] After July 7, masks were required in enclosed, public places.[149]

Strong-mayor powers

edit

Prior to the 2022 election, at the request of Tory,[150] Premier Doug Ford's provincial government introduced legislation known as the Strong Mayors, Building More Homes Act, 2022, which granted Tory additional powers including the development of the budget, creating council committees, appointing the chairs and vice chairs of those committees, the power to reorganize departments, appointing department heads, and appointing the city manager. Tory was also granted the power to veto council decisions which do not align with priorities set by the province.[151][152] On November 16, 2022, the province proposed further changes the powers of the mayor, introducing the Better Municipal Governance Act, 2022 which would allow by-laws to be passed with only one-third of council voting in favour if Tory declared it to be in line with provincial priorities.[153]

At a press conference, Tory stated that when speaking to the public, he often hears complaints relating to housing and community safety, but nobody has complained about the new powers.[154] The mayor's office has also said he would make very limited use of new powers.[155] The Ford government defended the new powers by pointing out the mayor's "city-wide mandate", having received more votes than the rest of council.[156] The National Post's Adam Zivo argued that the mayor is just as legitimate as council and that the changes will increase Tory's "political capital and influence," which he can use to push for the city's interests to other levels of government.[157]

The new legislation was condemned by Toronto City Council, which had not been consulted on the changes, some of which were introduced after the election.[158][159] All five living former Toronto mayors, David Crombie, David Miller, Barbara Hall, Art Eggleton and John Sewell, wrote a letter to Tory describing the new powers as an "attack" on local democracy and majority rule.[155] Political science professors such as Harvard's Pippa Norris and Laval's Louis Massicotte were puzzled by the legislation, as no other democratic legislature in the world can pass laws with only one-third support.[160] Critics urged Tory to reject some, or all, of the new powers as Ottawa mayor Mark Sutcliffe had done. Toronto Sun commentator Brian Lilley supported expanded powers for the mayor due to his city-wide mandate, but argued that those powers should not include minority rule.[161] The Globe and Mail's Marcus Gee questioned why Tory had chosen not revealed his plans to the public,[154] and described the changes as "offensive in principle and dangerous in practice".[162] The Toronto Star's editorial board also called on Tory to reject the new powers.[163]

In December 2022, Tory asked the provincial government to amend the legislation to include a sunset clause after his term ends in 2026.[164]

Taxes

edit

Tory promised to keep property tax increases at or below the rate of inflation. He had previously made the same promise during the last municipal election and kept it as mayor.[165]

Extramarital affair and resignation

edit

On February 10, 2023, the Toronto Star broke the news that during the COVID-19 pandemic, Tory had a months-long affair with a former staffer that ended earlier in 2023. Through his lawyer, Tory described the relationship as a "serious error of judgement". While no law prohibits politicians from having relationships with their staff, the Star questioned whether the relationship violated the city's internal policies.[3]

Tory announced at a press conference the same day that he would resign as Mayor of Toronto and committed to working with Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie, City Manager Paul Johnson and City Clerk John D. Elvidge to ensure an "orderly transition".[166][167] He submitted his resignation letter to Elvidge on February 16, which states that his official last day would be February 17 at 5 p.m., after which McKelvie would assume certain mayoral powers until council arranged for a mayoral by-election.[5] Former NDP MP Olivia Chow was elected to succeed Tory as mayor.[168] Tory had endorsed his former deputy mayor Ana Bailão to succeed him.[169] She finished second in the election.[170]

Post mayoralty

edit

In December 2023, several months after he resigned as mayor, Tory joined Bell Media as a municipal affairs commentator appearing on CFRB as a commentator and substitute host as well as on CTV News and CP24.[171] In March 2024, it was announced that Tory would rejoin the board of directors of Rogers, after being a member of the board between 2010 and 2014 prior to running for Mayor of Toronto.[17]

Personal life

edit

Tory has been married to Barbara Hackett, a home builder and renovator, since 1978.[172] They met in 1976 at York University, where they both studied law and Hackett also studied business.[8] Hackett was diagnosed with Guillain–Barré syndrome in 1991.[8] They have four children.[3]

Tory has two brothers, Michael and Jeffrey, and one sister, Jennifer.[8] One of Tory's ancestors, James Tory, was a soldier in the 71st Scottish Regiment. He was captured and held as a prisoner of war during the American Revolution. He later settled in Nova Scotia in the 1780s.[7] His maternal grandmother, Helen Yvonne Solomon, was born in 1909 to a Russian Jewish family that had immigrated to Canada six years earlier and settled in Toronto.[173] Helen Solomon married Howard English Bacon, an Anglican, and their daughter Elizabeth Bacon was raised a Christian and married Tory's father, John A. Tory, in 1953.[173]

Honours

edit

In 2012, Tory was made a member of the Order of Ontario in recognition for being "a consummate champion for the Greater Toronto Region as a founding member and chair of CivicAction and chairs and volunteers on countless fundraising campaigns".[174] Tory is also a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal,[175][176] and holds a commission as King's Counsel.[177] In 2011, Tory was awarded a Harry Jerome Award for his work as co-chair of DiverseCity.[178]

Election results

edit
2022 Toronto mayoral election
Candidate Votes %
John Tory 342,158 62.00
Gil Penalosa 98,525 17.85
Chloe-Marie Brown 34,821 6.31
Blake Acton 8893 1.61
27 other candidates 67,493 12.22
Total 551,890 100.00
2018 Toronto mayoral election
Candidate Votes %
John Tory 479,659 63.49
Jennifer Keesmaat 178,193 23.59
Faith Goldy 25,667 3.40
Saron Gebresellasi 15,222 2.01
64 other candidates 56,752 7.51
Total 755,493 100.00
2014 Toronto mayoral election
Candidate Votes %
John Tory 394,775 40.28
Doug Ford 330,610 33.73
Olivia Chow 226,879 23.15
64 other candidates 27,913 2.84
Total 980,177 100.00
Ontario provincial by-election, Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock March 5, 2009 due to resignation of Laurie Scott
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Rick Johnson 15,542 43.88 14.37
Progressive Conservative John Tory 14,595 41.20 -8.79
Green Mike Schreiner 2,330 6.58 -0.58
New Democratic Lyn Edwards 2,112 5.96 -5.95
Independent Jason Taylor 280 0.79
Family Coalition Jake Pothaar 258 0.73 0.11
Freedom Bill Denby 140 0.40 -0.41
Independent John Turmel 94 0.27
Libertarian Paolo Fabrizio 72 0.20
Total valid votes 35,423 100.00
  Liberal gain from Progressive Conservative Swing 11.58
Source: Elections Ontario[179]
2007 Ontario general election: Don Valley West
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Kathleen Wynne 23,059 50.4 -
Progressive Conservative John Tory 18,136 39.7 -
Green Adrian Walker 2,202 4.8 -
New Democratic Mike Kenny 2,135 4.7 -
Family Coalition Daniel Kidd 183 0.4 -
Dufferin—Peel—Wellington—Grey by-election, March 17, 2005
resignation of Ernie Eves
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Progressive Conservative John Tory 15,610 56.3
Liberal Bob Duncanson 4,625 16.7
New Democratic Lynda McDougall 3,881 14.0
Green Frank de Jong 2,767 10.0
Family Coalition Paul Micelli 479 1.7
Independent William Cook 163 0.6
Libertarian Philip Bender 135 0.5
Independent John Turmel 85 0.3
2003 Toronto municipal election: Mayor of Toronto
Candidate Votes %
David Miller 299,385 43.26
John Tory 263,189 38.03
Barbara Hall 63,751 9.21
John Nunziata 36,021 5.20
Tom Jakobek 5,277 0.76
39 other candidates 24,462 3.53
Total valid votes 692,085 100.00

For full results, see Results of the 2003 Toronto election.


Notes

edit
  1. ^ In Ontario, municipal politicians are elected on a non-partisan basis.

References

edit
  1. ^ "Mayoral candidate John Tory a leader from childhood". National Post. October 22, 2018. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
  2. ^ "2022 Municipal Election". toronto.ca. October 24, 2022. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
  3. ^ a b c Rider, David; Spurr, Ben; Hasham, Alyshah (February 10, 2023). "'A serious error of judgement': Mayor John Tory had relationship with former staffer". The Toronto Star. Retrieved February 11, 2023.
  4. ^ Griffin, Tyler (February 12, 2023). "John Tory's affair, resignation blow up Toronto mayor's legacy as calm, stable leader". Global News. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
  5. ^ a b "Mayor John Tory to step down on Friday after submitting resignation letter". CP24. February 15, 2023. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
  6. ^ "BIO: Mayor-elect John Tory finally gets his win". toronto.citynews.ca. October 27, 2014. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  7. ^ a b Martin, Sandra (April 9, 2011). "John A. Tory: A quiet, humble man who shaped Canadian dynasties". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved December 1, 2012.
  8. ^ a b c d Diebel, Linda (October 25, 2014). "Mayoral candidate John Tory a leader from childhood". Toronto Star. Retrieved October 28, 2014.
  9. ^ Rushowy, Kristin (March 17, 2015). "UTS expected to stay put at U of T". The Toronto Star. Torstar. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
  10. ^ Chiose, Simona (March 25, 2017). "No eviction for UTS as private school signs deal with U of T". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
  11. ^ "John Tory". Department of Political Science. University of Toronto. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
  12. ^ a b Powell, Betsy (March 15, 2014). "Toronto mayoral election profile: John Tory". The Toronto Star. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
  13. ^ Toronto, City of (September 8, 2017). "About Mayor John Tory". City of Toronto. Archived from the original on February 13, 2021. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
  14. ^ Toronto Star, May 3, 1990.
  15. ^ Summerfield, Patti (November 1, 1993). "Ad strategy helped push Tories under". Encyclopedia of Things. strategy. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
  16. ^ a b John Tory's profile on the Ontario PC Party website Archived September 5, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, ontariopc.com; accessed July 7, 2017.
  17. ^ a b "Former Toronto mayor John Tory to rejoin Rogers board". The Globe and Mail. March 22, 2024. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  18. ^ "Tory resigns from board of Metro grocery chain". Toronto Sun. November 20, 2014. Retrieved September 13, 2016.
  19. ^ Sheikh, Iman (April 22, 2015). "Six Degrees of John H. Tory: a peek at the high-powered Rolodex of our new Mayor McSchmooze". Toronto Life. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
  20. ^ Richard Brennan, Tory unveils $1.3B plan to clean Nanticoke smoke, Toronto Star, September 14, 2007.
  21. ^ Richard Brennan, Liberals haven't fixed MD shortage, says Tory, Toronto Star, September 12, 2007.
  22. ^ Kerry Gillespie Tory sees private health role, Toronto Star, September 19, 2007.
  23. ^ Howlett, Karen (September 23, 2007). "Tory vows tougher penalties for occupations". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
  24. ^ Rob Ferguson, Tory vows to fast-track nuke plants, Toronto Star, September 23, 2007.
  25. ^ Canadian Press, Tory: 'Millions' for transit, Toronto Star, September 14, 2007.
  26. ^ Richard Brennan, Tories release cost figures for 'prudent' platform, Toronto Star, August 30, 2007.
  27. ^ "Ontario's Tory boards the blue bus". The Globe and Mail. September 3, 2007. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  28. ^ Alphonso, Caroline (September 10, 2007). "Campaign starts with verbal attacks". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
  29. ^ Brennam, Richard (September 6, 2007). "Tory ignites creationism debate". Toronto Star. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
  30. ^ a b CBC.ca - McGuinty only leader not facing leadership questions
  31. ^ Progressive Conservatives to soften position on faith-based schools: report
  32. ^ McCarthy, Shawn (September 11, 2007). "Tories slam health tax as 'granddaddy of broken promises'". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
  33. ^ "Summary of Valid Ballots Cast for Each Candidate" (PDF). Elections Ontario. October 10, 2007. p. 3 (xii). Archived from the original (PDF) on October 7, 2009.
  34. ^ "McGuinty wins massive majority, Tory loses seat". CBC News. October 10, 2007. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
  35. ^ "Will provincial leaders stay, or go?", Toronto Star, October 15, 2007.
  36. ^ a b "Conservative Leader John Tory to remain after 67 per cent in leadership vote" — Canadian Press, February 23, 2008.[dead link]
  37. ^ a b Coutts, Matthew; Greenberg, Lee (February 25, 2008). "Critics assail 'weak' Tory". and "Tory's support identical to Joe Clark's". National Post. Toronto, Ontario. Canwest News Service. pp. A1 – A9. Retrieved January 20, 2024 – via newspapers.com.A1 - A9&rft_id=https://www.newspapers.com/article/national-post-torys-support-identical-t/139216039/&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:John Tory" class="Z3988">
  38. ^ MPP suspended for suggesting John Tory quit, Toronto Star, September 12, 2008.
  39. ^ "Tory gets a chance at last", Toronto Star, January 9, 2009.
  40. ^ Isaacson, Fiona (January 13, 2009). "MPP stepping aside gets $100,000 in severance pay". The Peterborough Examiner. Archived from the original on June 6, 2014. Retrieved November 7, 2014.
  41. ^ "Ont. P.C. Leader John Tory loses byelection bid", CTV News, March 5, 2009.
  42. ^ "John Tory resigning as Ont. P.C. leader after devastating byelection defeat". Archived from the original on March 11, 2009.
  43. ^ John Tory to host show on CFRB, Toronto Star, April 24, 2009
  44. ^ Babbage, Maria (April 23, 2009). "Tories get Murdoch back while former leader lands radio gig". CP24. Retrieved November 7, 2014.
  45. ^ a b "John Tory to host afternoon radio show". CBC News. September 23, 2009. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
  46. ^ "John Tory returns to radio roots". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. August 23, 2012.
  47. ^ "Toronto mayor won't run again". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. September 25, 2009. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  48. ^ Deibel, Linda (January 7, 2010). "John Tory won't make a second run for mayor, source says". Toronto Star. Retrieved January 7, 2010.
  49. ^ "T.O.'s Mayor Miller says he won't run for re-election". CTV News. September 25, 2009. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
  50. ^ "Who could be Toronto's next mayor?", Globe and Mail (online edition), September 25, 2009
  51. ^ "A list of potential mayoral candidates"[permanent dead link], National Post (online edition), September 25, 2009
  52. ^ "It's official: John Tory won't run for Toronto mayor", Toronto Star (online), January 7, 2010
  53. ^ "John Tory is officially out of mayoral race - again", Toronto Star, August 5, 2010
  54. ^ "LISTEN: John Tory tells Newstalk 1010 he's running for mayor". Newstalk 1010. February 23, 2014. Retrieved February 23, 2014.
  55. ^ "John Tory for Mayor of Toronto, Campaign Launch Video, Sunday February 23 2014". February 24, 2014 – via www.youtube.com.
  56. ^ "Mayoral candidate John Tory unveils transit plan". www.cbc.ca. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
  57. ^ "John Tory unveils yet another Toronto transit plan, includes 53-km 'relief line' from Unionville to airport". National Post. May 27, 2014. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
  58. ^ Herhalt, Chris (October 10, 2017). "SmartTrack will be ready in 'the early 2020s:' Tory". CP24. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
  59. ^ "Toronto election: CBC declares John Tory winner". CBC Toronto. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved October 28, 2014.
  60. ^ Mangione, Kendra (December 1, 2014). "John Tory meets with premier on first day as mayor". Toronto. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  61. ^ "Jennifer McKelvie appointed as Toronto's deputy mayor - Toronto | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  62. ^ John Tory registers to run in mayoral race, retrieved October 23, 2018
  63. ^ "Gap Between Keesmaat and Tory Narrows ... slightly". The Forum Poll. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
  64. ^ "Toronto election 2018: Tory handily wins second term as mayor". Retrieved October 23, 2018.
  65. ^ Kirolos, David. "City of Toronto Elections Result". electionresults.toronto.ca. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
  66. ^ "John Tory re-elected for 3rd term as Mayor of Toronto - Toronto | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  67. ^ James, Royson (June 3, 2015). "Mayor John Tory foolish to ignore Toronto's leading lights on carding: James". City Hall. TheStar.com. Retrieved June 4, 2015. As soon as Tory became mayor last November, he reconfigured the Police Services Board, took a seat on the board, and proceeded to dismantle the rules governing carding that the previous board passed in April 2014.
  68. ^ a b c d Ferreira, Victor (June 3, 2015). "Toronto Mayor John Tory vows to reform 'carding' despite calls to end policy by group of civic leaders". Posted Toronto. NationalPost.com. Retrieved February 17, 2023. The policy allowed Toronto police to routinely and randomly stop citizens in the streets and record or elicit personal information.
  69. ^ a b Pagliaro, Jennifer (June 3, 2015). "Mayor John Tory maintains carding needs reforming, not ending". City Hall. TheStar.com. Retrieved June 4, 2015. After dozens of prominent Torontonians stood just steps from John Tory's second-floor city hall office to demand an end to carding, the mayor said he heard their message "very clearly." But on Wednesday, Tory refused to join that call, instead doubling down on his position that the practice needs reforming, not shelving.
  70. ^ a b "Toronto Mayor John Tory calls for end to carding". CBC News - Toronto. CBC News. June 7, 2015. Retrieved June 7, 2015. Calls controversial police practice 'illegitimate, disrespectful and hurtful'
  71. ^ Wilson, Codi (June 17, 2015). "Activists slam Tory for not releasing details of carding motion sooner". CP24. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  72. ^ Torontoist (June 19, 2015). "Police Board Approves Return of 2014 Carding Policy". Torontoist. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  73. ^ "Toronto police board votes to reinstate 2014 carding policy". toronto.citynews.ca. June 18, 2015. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  74. ^ Draaisma, Muriel (January 1, 2017). "New Ontario rule banning carding by police takes effect". CBC News.
  75. ^ "Ontario regulation bans random carding by police". CBC News. March 22, 2016.
  76. ^ a b c d Patton, Jessica (June 25, 2020). "Mayor John Tory tabling motion on Toronto police reform in wake of calls to defund service". Global News. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
  77. ^ Fox, Chris (June 10, 2020). "Tory says he won't support 'arbitrary' cuts to the $1.22B police budget". CP24. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  78. ^ "Toronto councillors put forward motion to reduce police budget by 10%". CBC News. June 8, 2020.
  79. ^ a b "Toronto council votes against cutting 2021 police budget, votes for mayor's reform plan". thestar.com. June 29, 2020. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  80. ^ "Mayor unveils police reform plan, Wong-Tam accuses Tory of 'sidelining' previous motion". torontosun. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  81. ^ "Derrière sa façade dynamique, Toronto souffre d'une grave crise de la santé mentale". Le Monde.fr. May 3, 2023.
  82. ^ a b Casey, Liam (June 29, 2020). "Toronto city council passes motion on police reform, but rejects cuts to budget". CTV Toronto. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  83. ^ "'You cannot say that it is a system that is working:' Tory unveils plan for police reform". CP24. June 25, 2020. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  84. ^ a b "Mobile crisis teams could begin responding to some non-emergency calls in place of police as soon as March: report". CP24. January 19, 2022. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  85. ^ a b "EX29.1 2022 Launch of Community Crisis Support Service Pilots and Policing Reform Updates". City or Toronto.
  86. ^ "Toronto to launch crisis response pilot projects without police in downtown east and northeast". CBC News. March 29, 2022.
  87. ^ Freeman, Joshua (January 30, 2023). "Timeline: Disturbing trend of violent attacks on the TTC". toronto.citynews.ca. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  88. ^ Nicholson, Katie; McQuillan, Laura (February 8, 2023). "Shaken by Toronto transit attacks, riders say they don't feel safe — but doubt more police will help". CBC News.
  89. ^ "Fixing TTC chaos requires more transit security, more social supports". torontosun. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  90. ^ "Toronto police to increase number of officers on TTC after series of violent attacks". thestar.com. January 26, 2023. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  91. ^ "Toronto to deploy 50 security guards on TTC property amid rash of violent incidents". CTV Toronto. January 30, 2023. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  92. ^ "Toronto to provide additional TTC safety measures after series of violent attacks - Toronto | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  93. ^ a b "John Tory pledges to create $8 billion rail relief line in seven years". thestar.com. May 27, 2014. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  94. ^ "Is John Tory's SmartTrack on track for seven-year delivery?". thestar.com. August 26, 2014. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  95. ^ Tory, John (September 8, 2014). "Opinion | SmartTrack is the sound, sensible way out of Toronto's gridlock". thestar.com. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  96. ^ "Version of SmartTrack taking shape with seven new stations". thestar.com. June 2, 2016. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  97. ^ "SmartTrack still on track despite changing plan, Mayor Tory says". thestar.com. January 19, 2016. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  98. ^ a b "Toronto City Council approves five-stop SmartTrack stations plan". CP24. February 2, 2021. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  99. ^ "Ontario, Toronto revise agreement for SmartTrack Stations Program". www.masstransitmag.com. August 18, 2021. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  100. ^ "Scarborough Centre Mobility Hub Profile" (PDF). Metrolinx. December 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 3, 2016.
  101. ^ "Rob Ford supportive of tax hike to pay for a Scarborough subway line". The Globe and Mail. July 12, 2013.
  102. ^ "Cost of Scarborough subway extension rises to $3.35 billion as number of new riders fall | Toronto Star". thestar.com. February 28, 2017. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
  103. ^ "Why I support the Scarborough subway: John Tory | Toronto Star". thestar.com. June 27, 2016. Retrieved September 22, 2016.
  104. ^ "Toronto city council sticks with subway, rejects Scarborough LRT | Toronto Star". thestar.com. July 13, 2016. Retrieved September 22, 2016.
  105. ^ "Scarborough Subway Extension: Project Phases". www.scarboroughsubwayextension.ca. Archived from the original on January 23, 2015. Retrieved September 22, 2016.
  106. ^ a b "Mayor John Tory says Gardiner East should be reconfigured". thestar.com. May 12, 2015. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  107. ^ "Decision Time for Toronto's Gardiner Expressway". Streetsblog USA. June 3, 2015. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  108. ^ "John Tory doesn't want to discuss the Gardiner Expressway - but Toronto should - Ontario News". October 20, 2022. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  109. ^ "Third member of Tory's executive supports Gardiner East removal". Toronto Sun. Retrieved September 22, 2016.
  110. ^ "Developers, business leaders call on Toronto Mayor Tory to tear down the Gardiner Expressway". Retrieved September 22, 2016.
  111. ^ "Ex-mayor Crombie begs John Tory to rethink his Gardiner plan | Toronto Star". thestar.com. June 2015. Retrieved September 22, 2016.
  112. ^ "Toronto chief planner at odds with mayor over eastern Gardiner removal". Retrieved September 22, 2016.
  113. ^ a b "Tory once called road tolls 'highway robbery'". thestar.com. November 23, 2016. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  114. ^ a b "Tory set to announce tolls on the DVP and Gardiner". thestar.com. November 23, 2016. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  115. ^ Lorinc, John (November 24, 2016). "LORINC: John Tory's road toll epiphany". Spacing Toronto. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  116. ^ "Highway tolls needed to 'tame the traffic beast,' Toronto mayor says". CBC News. November 24, 2016.
  117. ^ a b "Premier Kathleen Wynne rejects Toronto's request for tolls on DVP, Gardiner". CBC News. January 27, 2017.
  118. ^ "John Tory says he'd consider revisiting tolls on Toronto's Gardiner, DVP - Toronto | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  119. ^ "John Tory picks next Toronto deputy mayor, executive committee". CBC News. December 1, 2014.
  120. ^ "Toronto modular housing COVID response both quick and iterative - constructconnect.com". Daily Commercial News. December 8, 2022. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  121. ^ "Toronto announces plan for more than 200 new modular supportive housing units". www.blogto.com. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
  122. ^ "Mayor Tory Launches Seniors-Focused Social Housing Provider | UrbanToronto". urbantoronto.ca. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
  123. ^ "She became homeless in her 60s. Here's why her story's becoming all-too common in Toronto". CBC News. October 8, 2022.
  124. ^ "Toronto City Council adopts ModernTO plan to repurpose eight City-owned sites for affordable housing and city-building benefits". City of Toronto. April 6, 2022. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  125. ^ "Toronto Moves Ahead with Plan to Redevelop 8 City Properties for Affordable Housing". April 6, 2022.
  126. ^ "ModernTO Program to Intensify Eight City-Owned Properties | UrbanToronto". urbantoronto.ca. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  127. ^ a b c d Mahoney, Jill (December 9, 2022). "John Tory releases plan to increase density across Toronto after province passes strong mayors law". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
  128. ^ "John Tory announces 5-point plan to build homes faster, tackle affordability in Toronto". CTV Toronto. August 23, 2022. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
  129. ^ McGrath, John Michael. "John Tory's latest housing plan could be a revolution — or a forgettable stunt". www.tvo.org. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
  130. ^ Torontoist (August 3, 2016). "Proposed 21-Acre Raildeck Park Could Bring Much-Needed Green Space to Downtown Toronto | cityscape | Torontoist". Retrieved August 4, 2016.
  131. ^ "Railway track space could become Toronto's 'Central Park'". thestar.com. August 3, 2016. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  132. ^ "Estimated costs for Toronto's Rail Deck Park rise to $1.66 billion". thestar.com. November 21, 2017. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  133. ^ "City's rail-deck park dream depends on securing air rights". thestar.com. August 15, 2016. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  134. ^ a b c "Who owns the air that Rail Deck park would be built on?". thestar.com. September 27, 2016. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  135. ^ "Tribunal calls plan for Rail Deck Park 'visionary' as developers lose appeal over parkland". thestar.com. July 11, 2019. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  136. ^ "Battle brews over conflicting plans for rail deck park". thestar.com. June 9, 2017. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  137. ^ a b "Tribunal sides with developer who owns air rights vs. Toronto in dispute over Rail Deck Park". CP24. May 12, 2021. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  138. ^ Bozikovic, Alex (May 12, 2021). "Provincial tribunal derails Toronto's plans for rail deck park". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  139. ^ "Planning tribunal dashes city's dreams of a downtown Rail Deck Park in a 'hugely disappointing' decision". thestar.com. May 12, 2021. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  140. ^ "Rail Deck Park vision returns, but its future is unclear". thestar.com. March 3, 2022. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  141. ^ "Toronto declares state of emergency amid COVID-19 pandemic". March 23, 2020. Archived from the original on March 23, 2020. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
  142. ^ John Tory [@JohnTory] (March 23, 2020). "We are declaring a State of Emergency as part of the City's ongoing efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 and to ensure the municipal government can continue to act and respond quickly to the pandemic and any other events that arise in the weeks ahead" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  143. ^ Rodrigues, Gabby (March 17, 2020). "Ontario government declares state of emergency amid coronavirus pandemic". Global News. Corus Entertainment. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
  144. ^ "1st death confirmed in Ontario as province declares state of emergency over COVID-19 | CBC News". Retrieved March 17, 2020.
  145. ^ Rocca, Ryan; Shah, Maryam (March 28, 2020). "Ontario government bans gatherings of 5 or more people in bid to stop coronavirus spread". Global News. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  146. ^ "Coronavirus: City of Toronto cancels events through June 30, including Pride Parade". globalnews.ca. March 31, 2020.
  147. ^ "Here are the TTC changes coming into effect this week | Urbanized". dailyhive.com.
  148. ^ "Face masks and face coverings". www.ttc.ca. Archived from the original on June 30, 2020. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
  149. ^ "City council votes to make masks mandatory in public in Toronto". thestar.com. June 30, 2020.
  150. ^ Jeffords, Shawn (November 17, 2022). "Accused of a 'betrayal' of voters, Tory defends request for expanded 'strong mayor' powers". CBC News.
  151. ^ "Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act Officially Proclaimed Into Law". STOREYS. November 23, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  152. ^ "Bill 3, Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022 proclaimed into law". City of Toronto. November 23, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  153. ^ "Ontario gives more 'strong mayor' powers to Toronto, Ottawa | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  154. ^ a b Gee, Marcus (December 17, 2022). "Toronto's mayor John Tory at his worst". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
  155. ^ a b "Former mayors of Toronto pen letter to Mayor John Tory, urging him to reject strong-mayor powers". thestar.com. November 20, 2022. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
  156. ^ "Why did John Tory get more 'strong-mayor' powers? Because of his 'city-wide mandate,' Ford government argues". thestar.com. November 24, 2022. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
  157. ^ Zivo, Adam (November 28, 2022). "Doug Ford's strong mayor reforms hardly anti-democratic". National Post. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
  158. ^ "Majority of Toronto council condemns new strong mayor powers for John Tory - Toronto | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
  159. ^ Gray, Jeff (November 17, 2022). "John Tory says he will make limited use of strong-mayor powers". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
  160. ^ Keenan, Edward (December 8, 2022). "'Good luck, Toronto': Our new minority-rule mayor law leaves global experts baffled". The Toronto Star. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
  161. ^ Lilley, Brian (December 7, 2022). "LILLEY: Ford government's Bill 39 an affront to democracy". Toronto Sun. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
  162. ^ Gee, Marcus (December 10, 2022). "The mayor who shot himself in the foot". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
  163. ^ "Editorial | John Tory should repudiate strong mayor powers". thestar.com. December 6, 2022. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
  164. ^ "'You can't rule anything out': Toronto's mayor says he's open to a review of the minority-rule powers he's 'highly unlikely' to use". thestar.com. December 22, 2022. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
  165. ^ "A look at John Tory's record: 45 promises made, 18 kept so far | The Star". Toronto Star. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
  166. ^ Draaisma, Muriel (February 10, 2023). "Toronto Mayor John Tory to step down after admitting relationship with staffer". CBC News. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  167. ^ "Toronto Mayor John Tory is resigning. So what happens now?". CBC News. February 10, 2023. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  168. ^ "Olivia Chow's mayoral win in Toronto is the culmination of a long and often trying odyssey". The Globe and Mail. June 26, 2023.
  169. ^ Lucas Powers (June 21, 2023). "ohn Tory endorses his former deputy Ana Bailão in Toronto mayoral race". cbc.ca. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  170. ^ "CityNews".
  171. ^ "Former Toronto Mayor John Tory Joins iHeartRadio Canada's NEWSTALK 1010 and CTV News as Municipal Affairs Expert". December 13, 2023. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
  172. ^ Diebel, Linda. "Mayoral Candidate John Tory a Leader from Childhood." Toronto Star, October 26, 2014. Web. December 15, 2016.
  173. ^ a b "John Tory Is Jewish, Claims Israeli Press". The Huffington Post. November 7, 2014. Archived from the original on November 7, 2014. Retrieved November 7, 2014.
  174. ^ "Ontario Newsroom". news.ontario.ca.
  175. ^ General, The Office of the Secretary to the Governor. "The Governor General of Canada". gg.ca. Retrieved May 15, 2017.
  176. ^ "John H. Tory Q.C. O.Ont, Chair CivicAction, Corporate Director and Broadcaster - Empire Club of Canada". Empire Club of Canada. Retrieved May 15, 2017.[permanent dead link]
  177. ^ "John H. Tory, Q.C. - Canadian Club Toronto". www.canadianclub.org. August 11, 2021. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  178. ^ "Harry Jerome Awards celebrate 'ordinary people doing extraordinary things' | Toronto Star". thestar.com. March 15, 2011. Retrieved May 15, 2017.
  179. ^ "By-Election 2009: Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock". Archived from the original on June 11, 2014.
edit