The deputy mayor of Toronto is a member of Toronto City Council appointed to assist the mayor of Toronto. One councillor is designated for statutory purposes and additional deputy mayors may be appointed to represent the mayor on an honorary basis, but with no statutory authority.

Ausma Malik was appointed statutory deputy mayor by Mayor Olivia Chow on August 10, 2023, and represents Toronto and East York. Chow has named three additional deputy mayors: Paul Ainslie (Scarborough), Amber Morley (Etobicoke and York), and Michael Colle (North York).

Statutory deputy mayor The member designated for statutory purposes is sometimes known as the first deputy mayor. This councillor performs the roles and functions assigned to the "deputy mayor" in the City of Toronto Act and various chapters of the Toronto Municipal Code. The statutory deputy mayor has all the rights, power and authority of the mayor created by council, and is the vice-chair of the executive committee. The statutory deputy mayor typically acts when the mayor is unable to.

Role during mayoral vacancy When the office of Mayor of Toronto is vacant, the deputy mayor exercises the limited mayoral powers which are granted to the mayor by city council to ensure city business can continue to be carried out. This includes acting as the city's chief executive officer, representing the city, and special privileges during council sessions. The deputy mayor also assumes responsibility for the administrative management of the mayor's office.

The deputy mayor does not become "acting" or "interim" mayor, nor does the deputy mayor assume the "strong-mayor" powers, which are granted by the province to the head of council, a role which remains vacant.

Additional deputy mayors Non-statutory deputy mayors could be appointed to serve ceremonial roles. While holding no statutory authority, they represent the mayor at local events, can act as advisors, or lead a policy file. Additional deputy mayors were appointed under mayors David Miller, John Tory and Olivia Chow.

History

List of deputy mayors of Toronto PortraitDeputy MayorTerm startTerm endCouncil wardCouncil termStatusNotesMayor Mel Lastman (1998–2003)Case OotesFebruary 6, 1998November 30, 2003Ward 1 East York1998–2000StatutoryWard 29 Broadview—Greenwood2000–2003Mayor David Miller (2003–2010)Joe PantaloneDecember 4, 2003November 30, 2010Ward 19 Trinity—Spadina2003–2006Statutory2006–2010Sandra BussinDecember 4, 2003December 1, 2006Ward 32 Beaches-East York2003–2006Non-statutoryMike FeldmanDecember 4, 2003December 1, 2006Ward 10 York Centre2003–2006Non-statutoryMayor Rob Ford (2010–2014)Doug HolydayDecember 1, 2010August 21, 2013Ward 3 Etobicoke Centre2010–2014StatutoryNorm KellyAugust 21, 2013November 30, 2014Ward 40 Scarborough—Agincourt2010–2014StatutoryCertain powers usually assigned to the mayor were transferred to Kelly during a special meeting of city council on November 15, 2013.Mayor John Tory (2014–2023)Denzil Minan-WongDecember 1, 2014November 15, 2022Ward 34 Don Valley East2014–2018Statutory; North YorkWard 16 Don Valley East2018–2022Glenn De BaeremaekerDecember 1, 2014December 1, 2018Ward 38 Scarborough Centre2014–2018Non-statutory; ScarboroughPam McConnellDecember 1, 2014July 7, 2017Ward 28 Toronto Centre-Rosedale2014–2018Non-statutory; Toronto and East YorkVincent CrisantiDecember 1, 2014September 12, 2017Ward 1 Etobicoke North2014–2018Non-statutory;Etobicoke and YorkAna BailãoOctober 6, 2017November 15, 2022Ward 18 Davenport2014–2018Non-statutory; Toronto and East YorkWard 9 Davenport2018–2022Stephen HolydaySeptember 12, 2017November 15, 2022Ward 3 Etobicoke Centre2014–2018Non-statutory; Etobicoke and YorkWard 2 Etobicoke Centre 2018–2022Michael ThompsonDecember 1, 2018September 29, 2022Ward 21 Scarborough Centre2018–2022Non-statutory; ScarboroughJennifer McKelvieNovember 16, 2022August 10, 2023Ward 25 Scarborough—Rouge Park2022–2026StatutoryFollowing Mayor Tory's resignation in 2023, McKelvie became the highest-ranking city official and assumed limited mayoral powers.Mayor Olivia Chow (2023–present)Ausma MalikAugust 10, 2023IncumbentWard 10 Spadina—Fort York2022–2026Statutory; Toronto and East YorkJennifer McKelvieAugust 10, 2023May 9, 2025Ward 25 Scarborough—Rouge Park2022–2026Non-statutory; ScarboroughMichael ColleAugust 10, 2023IncumbentWard 8 Eglinton—Lawrence2022–2026Non-statutory; North YorkAmber MorleyAugust 10, 2023IncumbentWard 3 Etobicoke—Lakeshore2022–2026Non-statutory; Etobicoke and YorkPaul AinslieMay 21, 2025IncumbentWard 43 Scarborough East2022–2026Non-statutory; Scarborough

See also List of mayors of Toronto

References

External links

Office of the Mayor website