How a sudden mayoral resignation triggered a massive Toronto election battle
In short: In early 2023, Toronto's political landscape shifted overnight. Following a scandal involving an affair with a staffer, Mayor John Tory resigned his post, leaving a vacancy that sparked a crowded, expensive, and highly contested by-election to decide the city's future.
The vacancy was created after Mayor John Tory admitted to a 'serious error in judgement' regarding a relationship with a female staffer during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although allies like Premier Doug Ford and the Toronto Police Association urged him to remain in office, Tory submitted his resignation on February 15, 2023, officially leaving office on February 17.
The resulting by-election, held on June 26, 2023, was a massive undertaking. Over 100 candidates registered for the office, with 102 ultimately running. The process was marked by significant logistical hurdles, including the cancellation of a planned debate at OCAD University following threats made to candidates. The election was projected to cost the city approximately $13 million to conduct.
Having previously served as an MP and city councillor, Olivia Chow secured victory by beating Mark Saunders, the former police chief, and Ana Bailão, the ex-deputy mayor. Chow assumed office on July 12, 2023, to serve the remainder of the 2022–2026 term. Voter turnout for the by-election was 38.5%, which was roughly 9% higher than the turnout seen in the 2022 election.
The election utilized a non-partisan, first-past-the-post voting system. While the field was crowded, the results showed varying levels of support across the city; for example, Chow secured 54.6% of the vote in Ward 13 Toronto Centre, while Bailão saw her highest support at 46.8% in Ward 8 Eglinton—Lawrence.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: 2023 Toronto mayoral by-election
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