John Tory resigns as Toronto Mayor, admits affair with staffer

By Angela M. Patricio
Eagle News Service

TORONTO (Eagle News) —John Tory announced that he will step down as mayor of Toronto, admitting that he had an affair with a member of his staff during the pandemic.

In his surprise press conference Friday evening, he apologized to the city of Toronto, his colleagues, and most importantly to his wife, Barbara Hackett, his four children and six grand children. Tory and Hackett have been married for around 40 years.

TORONTO, ON – SEPTEMBER 07: Mayor of Toronto John Tory speaks during the 2018 TIFF Tribute Gala, honoring Piers Handling and celebrating women in film, at Fairmont Royal York on September 7, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images/AFP

The 68-year-old mayor said that his affair with his office staff member developed during the pandemic when he was spending a lengthy period of time working away from home. He says that the affair ended by mutual consent earlier this year.

“I think it is important as I always have for the Office of the Mayor not to be in any way be tarnished and not to see the city government itself put through a prolonged period of controversy arising out of this error in judgement on my part, especially in light of the challenges we face as a city,” Tory added in his press conference Friday night.

Tory also said that he will help ensure an orderly transition with Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie and the city manager.

He was easily re-elected as mayor of Toronto early last year. Tory was set to become the city’s longest-serving mayor if he finished his current term.