John Tory announced his resignation as mayor of Toronto after getting caught having an extramarital affair with a 31-year-old staff member during the pandemic.
Tory had been mayor for nearly ten years.
Tory’s relationship with a staffer less than half his age ended after his subordinate left their her job with the City of Toronto.
Tory was spotted receiving a lap dance and shoving cash in the thong of a young male on Mothers’ Day in 2019.
Oh my God, what fresh hell is this? On Mother’s Day, Mayor @JohnTory put cash in the thong of a young boy, and put his hands on the guy as he rode him. He should resign. What an abhorrent role modle for the children of Toronto and Canada. #toronto #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/RUKImD059J
— Keean Bexte (@TheRealKeean) May 13, 2019
While announcing his resignation, Tory said he is deeply sorry and apologized to the people of Toronto and to all of those hurt by his actions. He also apologized to his wife and family.
Tory, who regularly touted himself as a moral leader and virtue signaled about various causes, admitted his relationship did not meet the standards to which he holds himself as mayor and as a family man.
“I think it is important as I always had for the office of the mayor not to be in any way tarnished, and not to see the city government itself, but through a period of prolonged controversy, arising out of this error of judgment on my part, especially in light of some of the challenges facing the city,” Tory said.
He further said he recognizes that the relationship was a serious error in judgment.
“As a result,” Tory said, “I’ve decided that I will step down as mayor so that I can take the time to reflect on my mistakes and to do the work to rebuild the trust of my family.”
Tory’s resignation comes at a time when the city of Toronto is getting widespread attention for several random attacks and a high crime rate.
Last month, former CBC journalist Michael Finlay was killed in what appeared a random Toronto attack. The suspect has since been identified and police issued a warrant for his arrest.
Even Toronto’s Police Chief asked Trudeau to make changes to Canada’s bail and justice system, as most crimes are committed by repeat offenders. All 13 Premiers have also asked Trudeau for bail reform.
In December, eight teenage girls in Toronto have been charged with second-degree murder after stabbing a man to death near Union Station.
Three of the girls are 13 years old, three are 14, and two are under 16 years old. People noticed the victim bleeding out on the street and called 911.
The man was brought to a hospital but later succumbed to his injuries.
