John Tory is formally resigning as Toronto mayor Friday. Here’s what happens next

Toronto Mayor John Tory confirmed late Wednesday night that he will leave office this Friday at 5 p.m.

The resignation follows a turbulent six days at City Hall, kicked off by a Star investigation that revealed an extended affair between Tory, 68, and one of his former staffers, 31.

Tory, mayor since 2014, announced his intention to step down from office soon after the initial Star story broke last Friday, Feb. 10. It was unclear at the time when the resignation would officially take effect. The coming days revealed Tory would stay in office to oversee the passing of this year’s budget, a process which extended well into Wednesday evening.

Here’s what to expect at City Hall over the next few months.

Tory’s final days in office will be spent creating a transition plan

Following a chaotic budget meeting that spanned late into Wednesday night, Tory confirmed his resignation would take effect on Friday at 5 p.m.

On Thursday and Friday, Tory will work with deputy mayor Jennifer McKelvie and city staff to ensure a smooth transition plan as potential candidates and voters prepare for a forthcoming byelection.

Jennifer McKelvie will oversee city operations until a new mayor is elected

Following Tory’s departure on Friday, deputy mayor Jennifer McKelvie will step in to oversee city operations on an interim basis.

In a statement released Thursday morning, McKelvie said she will not run in the byelection for mayor due to her commitments as deputy mayor and councillor for Scarborough—Rouge Park.

According to a memo sent to city councillors Thursday morning, McKelvie’s title will remain “deputy mayor,” rather than “acting” or “interim” mayor.

McKelvie will assume most, but not all, of the rights, powers, and authority of the mayor granted by city council. McKelvie will not inherit “strong mayor” powers. Any board seats left vacant by Tory’s resignation will remain vacant until the forthcoming byelection.

A byelection will be held this spring or summer, though an official date has not yet been set

The next scheduled city council meeting is on March 29, during which the office of the mayor will officially be declared vacant and a bylaw will be passed authorizing the filling of the vacancy with a byelection.

According to a statement from the City of Toronto, nominations for mayor will open the next business day. Nominations will close between 30 and 60 days later, and the byelection will be held 45 days after that. More specific key dates for the byelection will be announced shortly.

In 2012, it was estimated a byelection to replace then-mayor Rob Ford would cost approximately $9 million (Ford eventually won his appeal against a conflict of interest ruling to remain in office until October 2014).

When will nominations for the byelection open?

Candidates wishing to nominate themselves for mayor will be able to do so at City Hall throughout the nomination period. The nomination period will span between 30 and 60 days following the passage of the bylaw that sets up the byelection process. Candidates may withdraw up to the closing date of the nomination period.

Individuals seeking a nomination must be eligible electors and be able to prove they live in Toronto.

Who has already announced an intention to run?

Nominations may not be open yet, but a couple of high-profile Torontonians have already announced their intention to run for mayor, including 2022 runner-up Gil Penalosa ,and former police officer and mayoral candidate Blake Acton. Here’s a list of who’s in, out and on the fence so far.

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