A mayoral by-election was held on Monday, June 26, 2023, to elect the 66th mayor of Toronto to serve the remainder of the 2022–2026 city council term following the resignation of Mayor John Tory. The election was won by Olivia Chow, a former city councillor and member of Parliament (MP). She defeated former deputy mayor Ana Bailão, former police chief Mark Saunders, and 99 other candidates. Chow assumed office on July 12, 2023.
On February 10, 2023, Mayor Tory announced his intention to resign following the admission of an affair with a staffer; he left office on February 17, 2023. The deputy mayor, Jennifer McKelvie, assumed certain mayoral powers and was the highest ranking official in the city until a permanent successor was elected. The nomination period for candidates opened on April 3, 2023, closing on May 12, with 102 registered candidates.
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Background
Resignation of John Tory and subsequent vacancy Tory was first elected in the 2014 mayoral election, and was re-elected in 2018 and 2022. On February 10, 2023, the Toronto Star sent a series of questions to the mayor regarding a relationship he had with a female staffer in his office during the COVID-19 pandemic. Tory confirmed the allegations, admitting to making a "serious error in judgement". Later in the day, Tory announced his intention to resign as mayor of Toronto.
Allies of Tory including city councillors Jon Burnside, Frances Nunziata and Gary Crawford had urged him to stay as mayor, and not resign the post. Premier Doug Ford and the Toronto Police Association also encouraged him not to resign.
Following the passage of the budget on February 15, Tory submitted a letter of resignation to the city clerk, to be effective February 17, 2023, at 5p.m. During the vacancy, Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie performed the duties of the mayor's office until a permanent successor was elected.
Polling during the election campaign suggested that Tory would win the election if he was a candidate. Despite stating that he would not endorse a candidate, Tory subsequently endorsed former deputy mayor Ana Bailão.
By-election process Under the City of Toronto Act, Toronto City Council must declare the office of mayor vacant following Tory's resignation. Within 60 days, a by-law must be passed to set up a by-election. A nomination period for candidates occurs, lasting a minimum of 30 and maximum of 60 days after the formal declaration of a by-election and ends 45 days before the election. The by-election is projected to cost the city approximately $13 million to run. Municipal elections in Toronto are non-partisan, and are held under first-past-the-post voting.
The City Clerk's Office announced that it would recommend the nomination period open on April 3, 2023, and close on May 12, with the by-election to be held on June 26. The office of mayor was formally declared vacant during the March 29 city council meeting and a by-law was passed to confirm the by-election.
The number of candidates led to suggestion that the barrier to entry be increased.
Mayoral debates Over 10 mayoral debates took place during the campaign. A planned debate at OCAD University (in collaboration with 60 Toronto residents' associations) scheduled to take place on June 1, 2023, was cancelled after threats were made to candidates prior to the event. A planned debate on climate action at the University of Toronto School of the Environment scheduled to take place on June 5, 2023, was cancelled due to scheduling conflicts. +List of mayoral debatesDateHosted byParticipantsModeratorNotesRefMay 10West Queen West Business Improvement AssociationBradford, Furey, Hunter, Perruzza, SaundersStefanos LialiasMay 15Daily Bread Food BankBailão, Bradford, Chow, Hunter, MatlowMaggie JohnSaunders was invited, but declinedMay 24Toronto Alliance for the Performing ArtsBailão, Bradford, Chow, Hunter, MatlowMaxine BaileySaunders was invited, but declinedResidential Construction Council of OntarioBailão, Bradford, Chow, Hunter, Matlow, SaundersJoe CressyThe Scarborough Community Renewal Organization, the Scarborough Business Association, and Scarborough United Neighbourhoods.Bailão, Bradford, Chow, Hunter, Matlow, SaundersCynthia MulliganBroadcast on Citytv and CityNews 24/7May 25Toronto Board of Trade and TVOBailão, Bradford, Chow, Hunter, Matlow, SaundersSteve PaikinMay 31Toronto Metropolitan University, in collaboration with United Way and Toronto StarBailão, Bradford, Chow, Hunter, Matlow, SaundersEdward KeenanJune 6CBC TorontoBailão, Chow, Hunter, Matlow, SaundersMarivel Taruc and Shawn JeffordsBradford declined, due to birth of his child on June 5Operation Black Vote CanadaBrown, Chavannes, Chow, Davis, Hunter, Saunders, K. SinghJune 7Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP)Bailão, Bradford, Brown, Chow, Furey, Hunter, Matlow, SaundersLibby ZnaimerBroadcast on ZoomerMediaJune 8Five Etobicoke residents' associationsBradford, Davis, Hunter, Mammoliti, Matlow, SaundersJohn CampbellChow and Bailão were invited, but declined (00:01:49)June 12University of Toronto's School of Cities, the Urban Land Institute Toronto, and Canadian Urban InstituteBailão, Bradford, Chow, Hunter, Matlow, SaundersMarivel TarucJune 15CP24 and Newstalk 1010Bailão, Bradford, Chow, Furey, Hunter, Matlow, SaundersJohn Moore and Leena LatafatJune 19Now TorontoBradford, Brown, Furey, Hunter, MatlowBrandon GonezChow and Bailão did not reply to their invites, Saunders declined
Candidates
Registration for candidates for the office of mayor officially opened on April 3, 2023. The deadline for candidate nominations closed Friday, May 12 at 2 p.m. 105 candidates were nominated, with three candidates withdrawing their candidacy prior to the election. 102 candidates therefore ran for the office of mayor.