Toronto Mayor John Tory resigned after admitting to a months-long affair with a member of his office staff.
His resignation was announced at a press conference on Friday.
In a letter obtained by The Star on Friday, Tory’s lawyer, Peter A. Downward, confirmed that the mayor had a relationship with a staff member during the coronavirus pandemic, but “it ended by mutual consent earlier this year.”
During the press conference, Tory apologized for allowing the relationship with the staff member to develop, adding that it was a “serious error of judgment.”
He added that the affair happened when he and his wife of more than 40 years were going through a long period of time while carrying out official responsibilities during the pandemic.
“As a result, I have decided to resign as mayor so that I can participate in remembering my mistakes and doing the work to rebuild the family’s trust,” he said.
Tory said he will work with the city manager, city clerk and Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie to ensure a smooth transition.
Tory has been mayor of Toronto since 2014 and previously served as leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario.
He gained strong support over the years, which saw him re-elected for a second term in 2018 and a third in the October municipal elections. During the campaign, he made promises that resonated with voters, including vowing to fix the housing crisis caused by rising prices and mortgage rates.
Tory’s departure comes just days before the city council is scheduled to consider proposals for the operating and capital budgets.