The race to become Toronto’s next mayor began this morning at 8:30 AM.
Candidates, accompanied by their families, came with the required $200 fee and 25 signatures to city hall and were welcomed by a crowd of cameras and media.
April 3 marks the opening window for mayoral candidates to register, which closes on May 12.
In the weeks leading up to April 3, several candidates declared their intentions to run.
The morning hours saw the arrival of several former city councillors including Josh Matlow, Ana Bailo, Brad Bradford, Rob Davis, Mitzie Hunter and Giorgio Mammoliti.
While several of the councillors were previously elected in the October 2022 election, Davis makes his return to politics for the first time since 2010.
He served as a city councillor from 1997 to 2000.
Other confirmed candidates include previous mayoral runner-up GIl Penalosa, former Toronto police chief Mark Saunders and journalist Anthony Furey.
The by-election was announced for June 26 by deputy mayor Jennifer McKelvie and the city’s clerk in late February. During the media presentation, McKelvie reaffirmed the city that more time would be needed to organize the by-election. She also confirmed her intention to not run, and intends to fulfill her duties as deputy mayor until a winner is announced.
Advance polling will take place from June 8 to 13.
In addition to polls across the city, residents will have the opportunity to cast their vote by mail.
The estimated budget for the byelection is approximately $13 million. This is down by $1.5 million, when $14.5 million was spent on the Toronto municipal election in October 2022.
The byelection was scheduled after John Tory’s surprising resignation on Feb. 10 after admitting to an affair with a former staffer that began during the height of COVID-19. Tory said it was consensual and ended in early 2023. News of the affair was first reported by the Toronto Star, and Tory confirmed it during a press conference later in the evening.
More details to come.
