Toronto mayoral byelection to be held on June 26
A byelection to replace former mayor John Tory has been tentatively set for June 26.
Toronto City Clerk John D. Elvidge announced the date in a news release issued on Thursday afternoon.
The byelection date is still subject to city council declaring the office vacant and passing a bylaw requiring a byelection at its next meeting on March 29.
In the release, city officials acknowledged the clerk “would not ordinarily fix or announce dates” in advance of council meeting to pass a bylaw.
But they said the clerk considered it to “be in the best interests of the city, candidates and electors to announce the applicable by-election dates as early as possible.”
Tory stepped down on Feb. 17, one week after disclosing he had been involved in a relationship with a staff member.
“Making the dates public now also allows the city clerk to start making preparations including hiring election staff and booking voting locations,” the release notes.
There had been some speculation that a special meeting could have been convened to move up the vote but Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie said earlier this week that while she wanted an election "done as soon as possible,” city staff need “time and preparation” to prepare for what will likely be the biggest byelection in Canadian history.
The estimated budget for the mayoral byelection is roughly $13 million, the city said.
October’s municipal election carried a $14.5 million cost as a point of comparison.
“I don’t think we can underestimate the work the city clerk has to put into this,” McKelvie told CP24.
Elvidge said that nominations would open on April 3 at 8:30 a.m. and close on May 12 at 2 p.m.
Advance voting is expected to take place from June 8 to June 13.
At this point in remains unclear who will run in the byelection, though city councillors Josh Matlow and Brad Bradford have both said they are exploring a potential run, as has Liberal MPP Mitzie Hunter and former police chief Mark Saunders. Gil Penalosa, who finished a distant second to Tory in October's election, has also said that he intends to run again.
Tory's former deputy mayor Denzil Minnan-Wong had floated the possibility of a run but said earlier on Thursday that he had decided against it.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
TD penalties expected to be higher on alleged drug money laundering link: analyst
A banking analyst says TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
DEVELOPING Foreign interference inquiry to report today on alleged meddling in federal elections
A federal commission of inquiry into foreign interference is slated to release a report today on alleged meddling in the last two general elections.
Magnitude 4.8 earthquake recorded west of Vancouver Island
A 4.8-magnitude earthquake was reported west of Vancouver Island Thursday evening.
Biscuits with possible plastic pieces, metal found in ground pork: Here are the recalls for this week
Here are the latest recalls Canadians should watch out for, according to Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
How falling for a stranger she met on a beach led this woman to ditch the U.S. for the French Riviera
Niki Benjamin, from the U.S., had travelled to a paradise island to do some soul searching, and her life ended up going in a very different direction when her dog ran up to a stranger.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Princess Anne to take part in B.C. ceremony bringing new ship into Pacific fleet
Western Canada's first Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessel will officially be brought into the Pacific fleet today and Princess Anne, the sister of King Charles, is scheduled to take part in its commissioning ceremony.
BREAKING Winnipeg man accused of killing four women will be tried by jury
A Winnipeg man accused of killing four Indigenous women will have his case heard by a jury.
Wally, the emotional support alligator once denied entry to a baseball game, is missing
Emotional support animal registrations in the United States reached 115,832 last year, by an industry group’s count. But in the eyes of reptile rescuer Joie Henney, there’s only one: 'Wally Gator.'