Uncertainty over John Tory’s departure could have big budget consequences

Progressive councillors are hoping to capitalize on John Tory’s sudden resignation to undo parts of the outgoing mayor’s budget when it comes up for a vote this week, and are eyeing police spending, transit service, and warming centres among key items they want to revisit.

But with uncertainty hanging over city hall in the wake of Tory’s stunning announcement Friday that he is stepping down after admitting to having a relationship with a former staffer, his allies are warning it would be reckless to overhaul the mayor’s spending plan.

“I think that’s irresponsible, I think that’s unhelpful,” said Coun. Brad Bradford (Ward 19, Beaches-East York). He said he’s open to minor amendments to the budget Tory tabled on Feb. 1, but hopes left-leaning councillors won’t try to hijack the process with wholesale changes.

“I don’t think that the events that transpired Friday night have any bearing over the merits of this budget, and I would urge my colleagues to exercise caution when playing politics around a document like this that really is important for us to help move the city forward,” Bradford said.

The 2023 Toronto budget consists of a $16.2 billion operating budget and $49.3 billion capital plan, and is the first crafted under controversial new strong mayor legislation. It comes at a financially precarious time for the city, which is seeking about $1.5 billion from the provincial and federal governments to make up for COVID-19 shortfalls for this year and 2022. Council is set to debate it at a special meeting on Wednesday.

Left-leaning councillors were always likely to try to push for changes like capping the police budget. But their chances for major alterations were limited by the new provincial legislation, which gave the mayor the power to veto any amendment supported by less than two-thirds of council. But after Tory’s resignation, which followed a Star investigation that revealed his relationship with the former staffer, his council critics see a window.

“I think when the political environment changes it’s always an opportunity to reassert ideas that have a lot of broad public support,” said Coun. Alejandra Bravo (Ward 9, Davenport).

She said she’s been overwhelmed by messages from residents and civil society organizations opposing measures in Tory’s spending plan like the $48.3-million increase to the police budget, and the five per cent cut to TTC service. She said there’s also anger over the mayor and his allies blocking an effort last week to keep warming centres for the homeless open around the clock.

Bravo, who like Bradford is considering running to replace Tory, said she considers it her duty to reverse those measures, and in a statement Sunday pledged to “deliver a budget for our city that finally invests in the public services and supports that Toronto desperately needs.”

Other councillors who spoke to the Star said there are also discussions underway about diverting funding from the expensive rebuild of the Gardiner Expressway, and allocating it to climate change and road safety initiatives.

But even as those conversations continue around city hall, how exactly Tory’s resignation will affect the 2023 budget is still unclear.

Under the strong mayor legislation, if council makes amendments to the budget, whoever is mayor has up to 10 days to veto the changes. Council then has up to 15 days to override the veto by a two-thirds majority, after which the budget is considered adopted.

But days after Tory’s announcement, no one knows who will be mayor for the duration of the 2023 budget process. As of Sunday afternoon, Tory had yet to officially submit a letter of resignation to the city and was still the mayor.

“Once a resignation notice is received, the City will be able to advise on timelines and next steps,” said a city spokesperson.

If Tory decided not to resign immediately and to see his budget through, he could use his veto to quash any changes not backed by two-thirds of council. But critics had already decried the veto as undemocratic, and Tory using it after announcing he’s leaving office would be even more contentious.

“It would be horrible,” said Coun. Gord Perks (Ward 4, Parkdale-High Park), a vocal critic of Tory.

When Tory does officially resign, council will declare his seat vacant, and Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie (Ward 25, Scarborough-Rouge Park) will take over until a byelection is held. Legal experts who spoke to the Star said the legislation doesn’t explicitly prevent an interim mayor from wielding the strong mayor veto. However, the province said Sunday the powers aren’t transferable.

If the veto is off the table, it would mean councillors would only need a simple majority vote on the 26-member council — or 25, if the mayor’s seat is vacant — to change the budget.

Tory’s spokesperson Blue Knox wouldn’t say Sunday when he intends to officially step down, or whether he could still play a role in the budget.

“Details and timelines are still being finalized over the coming days,” said Knox, reiterating that the mayor is committed to working with city officials and McKelvie “to ensure an orderly transition.”

McKelvie didn’t respond to requests for comment Sunday.

Coun. Paula Fletcher (Ward 14, Toronto-Danforth) said that with key details still up in the air and the stakes for the city high, she hoped the mayor’s allies and opponents will be able to find common ground on the budget.

“Digging in to get every (amendment) you want, or saying no, there can be no changes, I don’t think either of those is realistic,” Fletcher said.

With files from Alyshah Hasham.

Ben Spurr is a Toronto-based reporter covering city hall and municipal politics for the Star. Reach him by email at bspurr@thestar.ca or follow him on Twitter: @BenSpurr

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