Former police chief Mark Saunders to run for mayor
Retired Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders is shown during an interview with The Canadian Press in Toronto on Monday, July 27, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn
Former police chief Mark Saunders will enter the race to become Toronto’s next mayor, a spokesperson for his campaign confirmed Monday night.
Saunders served as Toronto’s police chief from 2015 until his resignation in the summer of 2020.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
In the fall of 2020, he was named to the Ford government’s COVID-19 vaccine task force, which was responsible for ensuring that vaccines could be quickly distributed and administered across the province.
He ran under the Progressive Conservative banner in June‘s provincial election but was defeated by Liberal Stephanie Bowman by about 1,800 votes.
At the time, he said that his political career was “over” and that whatever “itch” he had to put his name on a ballot had been “itched out.”
However, Saunders name quickly surfaced as a potential candidate following the abrupt resignation of John Tory last month.
Last week, a spokesperson said that Saunders was spending time “talking to communities across Toronto” and was “strongly considering” a run.
“More and more he’s hearing that community safety is the top issue right across the city right now. He’s concerned,” the spokesperson said.
Saunders will join CP24 Breakfast tomorrow at 6:30 a.m. to discuss his decision to run and his upcoming campaign.
He joins a crowded field that already includes former deputy mayor Ana Bailão, former city councillor Giorgio Mammoliti and urbanist Gil Penalosa, who finished a distant second to John Tory in October’s election.
A number of others have also said that they are considering runs, including Liberal MPP Mitzie Hunter and current city councillors Brad Bradford, Josh Matlow and Stephen Holyday.
In October's municipal election, 31 people registered to run for mayor, though there has been speculation that an open race could result in even more candidates.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Justin Trudeau to step down as PM following Liberal leadership race
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is stepping down as Liberal leader, and is proroguing Parliament as the Liberal Party of Canada embarks on the journey to replace him.
Trudeau resignation: recap key moments, analysis, reaction as it happened
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has stepped down as Liberal leader. Here's a recap of key moments, analysis, and reaction as it happened.
Justin Trudeau steps down as Liberal leader. Who are the top contenders to replace him?
With Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's resignation as Liberal party leader, several well-known political faces may be waiting in the wings for their opportunity to take his place.
'Together, what a great nation it would be': Donald Trump, Elon Musk react to Justin Trudeau's resignation
Amid news of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's resignation as leader of the Liberal party on Monday morning, reactions from prominent figures began piling in.
Trudeau says Parliament is 'prorogued' until March. What does that mean?
In his resignation speech on Monday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Parliament would be prorogued until March, which will give the Liberal party time to find a new leader ahead of an expected confidence vote and early election.
Justin Trudeau is resigning, what will be his legacy? A look back at key political eras
In a seismic political move, Justin Trudeau has announced his intention to step down as leader of the Liberal Party of Canada and prime minister, once his successor is named. This decision comes after more than nine years in the country's top job and nearly 12 years at the helm of his party.
Justin Trudeau resignation: Here's what he said in Ottawa today
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau delivered a speech about his political future Monday morning outside Rideau Cottage in Ottawa. Here's the message he delivered to Canadians.
Alberta government signs new oil and gas agreement with Enbridge
The Alberta government has signed an agreement with Enbridge that Premier Danielle Smith says will increase exports of the province's heavy oil to the United States.
Trudeau leaves mixed global legacy as he exits during turbulent time, analysts say
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will leave the world stage with a legacy of promoting feminist causes and focusing on Asia, along with criticism that Canada's actions fell short of the government's rhetoric.
Montreal
-
'It was the right decision': Quebec politicians, residents react to Trudeau resignation
Elected officials in Quebec were quick to react to the major announcement in Ottawa Monday about Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the path forward for the federal Liberal Party.
-
Man, 27, injured in possible stabbing in Plateau-Mont-Royal
A 27-year-old man was sent to hospital with serious injuries after a possible stabbing in broad daylight Monday afternoon.
-
Health authorities advise caution as flu season intensifies
Quebec's Health and Social Service Ministry says the influenza season is intensifying while cases of the common cold are stabilizing. However, the situation could change rapidly as students gradually return to school this week.
Ottawa
-
Ottawa mayor says prorogation of parliament gives city time to work with MPs on transit funding request
Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe says he remains optimistic that the City of Ottawa will eventually get the transit funding it has requested from the federal government, despite Monday's announcement by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that Parliament has been prorogued and that he intends to step aside as Liberal leader and prime minister.
-
Ottawa's new north-south O-Train opens to the public
A large crowd gathered at Bayview Station just before 6 a.m. for a chance to be the first person to ride on the new north-south Line 2 Monday morning. The new north-south Line 2 and Line 4 runs from Bayview Station to Riverside South, with a link to the Ottawa International Airport.
-
Justin Trudeau to step down as PM following Liberal leadership race
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is stepping down as Liberal leader, and is proroguing Parliament as the Liberal Party of Canada embarks on the journey to replace him.
Northern Ontario
-
Justin Trudeau to step down as PM following Liberal leadership race
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is stepping down as Liberal leader, and is proroguing Parliament as the Liberal Party of Canada embarks on the journey to replace him.
-
Two Greater Sudbury drivers charged in racing incident on Hwy. 69
Ontario Provincial Police stopped to vehicles travelling more than double the speed limit on Highway 69 south of Greater Sudbury, early Friday morning.
-
Province boosts Sudbury's annual funding by $2.7M
The City of Greater Sudbury is one of more than 300 municipalities receiving an increase to their annual provincial funding this year.
Kitchener
-
Uncertainty surrounds college semester in Ontario as strike deadline looms
Students at Ontario’s 24 public colleges are beginning their winter semester under the cloud of a potential strike.
-
Social media famous corgi from Kitchener, Ont. rescues owner
A captivating canine is being hailed as a hero after one of his owners took a terrifying fall.
-
Justin Trudeau to step down as PM following Liberal leadership race
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is stepping down as Liberal leader, and is proroguing Parliament as the Liberal Party of Canada embarks on the journey to replace him.
London
-
Body found on Lake Erie shoreline prompts death investigation
Elgin County OPP are investigating after a deceased individual was discovered on the shoreline of Lake Erie in the township of Malahide.
-
Goderich Memorial Arena closed due to 'significant safety concerns'
At a standing room only meeting of Goderich’s Memorial Arena Task Force on Monday frustrated members of the public heard about council’s January 3 decision to close the arena until further notice.
-
Strangulation attack inside Sarnia church sparks security review
The incident happened Saturday inside the Adoration Chapel at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church - the chapel is available 24 hours a day for those who know the door code to enter.
Windsor
-
Riders push back against proposed $1.4M Transit Windsor cut
Details of the $1.4-million cut have not been made public, as the document outlining Windsor's proposed budget lists it as an "in-camera item" – meaning it will be discussed behind closed doors by Windsor's mayor, city councillors and administration.
-
'It is a nice piece of history': remnants of possible 19th century schooner shipwreck wash up in Erieau
Former Erieau harbourmaster Jeff Vidler hopes to salvage and preserve the large section of the vessel, believing it to be from a wooden schooner that was likely built in the 1850's.
-
Three gunpoint robbery suspects sought, one arrested
Windsor police officers have arrested one suspect and they are looking for three others after an armed robbery on University Avenue.
Barrie
-
Former Snowbirds pilot charged with sexual assault testifies in Barrie court
A former Canadian Forces Snowbirds pilot accused of forcing himself on a colleague before last summer’s airshow in Barrie took the stand to clear his name in court on Monday.
-
Collision involving snowmobile at Hwy 12 crossing under investigation
Provincial police are investigating a collision involving a snowmobile in Midland.
-
Rookie driver charged with speeding over 2x posted limit: OPP
Provincial police say a G2 driver faces serious charges after being clocked speeding more than double the posted limit in the Town of New Tecumseth over the weekend.
Winnipeg
-
'Different life to the party': Manitoba weighs in on Trudeau’s resignation
Manitobans are reacting to Justin Trudeau’s resignation as Liberal leader and his decision to prorogue to Parliament until March to allow for a leadership race.
-
Injunction extended against protesters in Lemay Forest
A court-ordered injunction against a group protesting the clearing of a Winnipeg forest will remain in place.
-
Man charged with voyeurism at Winnipeg fitness facility
A 26-year-old man has been charged with voyeurism after he allegedly snapped photos of a child undressing in a change room at a Winnipeg fitness facility.
Atlantic
-
Names of double homicide victims in Chipman, N.B., released by police
Police in New Brunswick have released the names of two people who were killed in Chipman, N.B., late last year.
-
Maritime premiers, residents weigh-in on Trudeau resignation
Maritime leaders and residents react after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau resigned as leader of the Liberal Party on Monday.
-
Suspicious death in Bible Hill under investigation: N.S. RCMP
The Nova Scotia RCMP is investigating a suspicious sudden death in Bible Hill, N.S.
N.L.
-
Newfoundland and Labrador energy deal with Quebec under scrutiny as debate opens
Newfoundland and Labrador politicians are digging into the details of the province's draft energy deal with Quebec as four days of debate begin today in St. John's, N.L.
-
Part of street washed away and state of emergency declared in N.L. town after storm
Damaging winds and pounding surf that washed away part of a street in a small northeastern town in Newfoundland on Sunday triggered a state of emergency in the coastal community.
-
Newfoundland residents seek answers, assurance as Quebec energy deal heads for debate
About 50 people gathered in a St. John's, N.L., gymnasium on a recent rainy night to seek answers about a massive energy deal with Hydro-Quebec trumpeted by the Newfoundland and Labrador government as a new chapter in the province's history.
Edmonton
-
Alberta faces potential short-term gain, long-term pain after Trudeau quits as prime minister
Justin Trudeau's resignation as Canada's prime minister and leader of the Liberal party should benefit the province in the short term, but long-term, the importance of free trade should be central to any Albertan or Canadian effort to sway U.S. opinion with the spectre of potentially crushing tariffs looming, pundits say.
-
Justin Trudeau to step down as PM following Liberal leadership race
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is stepping down as Liberal leader, and is proroguing Parliament as the Liberal Party of Canada embarks on the journey to replace him.
-
'We're in an epidemic': Deaths of two women in alleged domestic abuse cases raising red flags
Advocates for domestic abuse survivors say the deaths of an Edmonton woman and a Calgary mother and her father over the holidays shows domestic abuse is an “epidemic.”
Calgary
-
Justin Trudeau to step down as PM following Liberal leadership race
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is stepping down as Liberal leader, and is proroguing Parliament as the Liberal Party of Canada embarks on the journey to replace him.
-
Alberta government signs new oil and gas agreement with Enbridge
The Alberta government has signed an agreement with Enbridge that Premier Danielle Smith says will increase exports of the province's heavy oil to the United States.
-
Canadian oil stocks climb as industry absorbs news of Trudeau resignation
Canadian oil and gas stocks climbed Monday as the country's energy sector absorbed the news of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's resignation.
Regina
-
Trudeau's resignation could lead to changes for Sask/Ottawa relationship
Premier Scott Moe and the Saskatchewan Party will be losing its most prominent "opponent" in the coming months – with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announcing he intends to step down pending a leadership race.
-
Sask. RCMP make arrest in suspicious death on Piapot First Nation
Saskatchewan RCMP have arrested and charged Robin Kaiswatum, 40, with second degree murder in connection to a death on Piapot First Nation.
-
Saskatchewan politicians react to Trudeau's resignation announcement
Following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's resignation announcement on Monday, reaction from politicians around the world quickly began to circulate, including in Saskatchewan.
Saskatoon
-
Judge condemns murder trial delay, asks lawyers to 'turn around' and look at the public 'we serve'
A Saskatoon murder trial opened on Monday with the judge sharply criticizing the time it’s taken to get to trial.
-
These 90-year-old identical twins were born in a Saskatchewan barn, but grew to love the city
Rose Worona and Anne Skwarchuk were born in 1935 on a farm near Hafford. Now, they’re celebrating their 90th birthday together.
-
Province calling for prospective builders on new Sask. Polytech campus in Saskatoon
The province is putting out the call to prospective builders for a major project on the new Saskatchewan Polytechnic campus planned in Saskatoon.
Vancouver
-
Concern grows as sea lion repeatedly wanders onto Vancouver Island highway
The first time a California sea lion was spotted in the middle of Highway 4, between Port Alberni and Ucluelet on Dec. 29, it was a curiosity.
-
Hidden in plain sight: Human trafficking and the B.C. connection
You may not see it or even know it’s happening in your community. But it is an evil shrouded in the dark shadows of society, and even experts do not know its full scope.
-
Justin Trudeau to step down as PM following Liberal leadership race
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is stepping down as Liberal leader, and is proroguing Parliament as the Liberal Party of Canada embarks on the journey to replace him.
Vancouver Island
-
CBSA says it acted in 'good faith' detaining solar panels in forced labour probe
The Canada Border Services Agency says it acted lawfully and in "good faith" when it detained nearly 50 containers of solar panels belonging to a Victoria, B.C., company over concerns they were made using forced labour.
-
Victoria police cleared of wrongdoing in crash that killed 24-year-old taxi driver
British Columbia's police oversight agency has cleared Victoria police officers of wrongdoing after an attempted traffic stop on a city street led to the death of an innocent man last year.
-
Hidden in plain sight: Human trafficking and the B.C. connection
You may not see it or even know it’s happening in your community. But it is an evil shrouded in the dark shadows of society, and even experts do not know its full scope.
