Toronto's mayor John Tory resigns after affair with staffer
February 16, 2023 8:40 AM Subscribe
In a news conference last Friday, John Tory promised to resign after admitting to a consensual relationship with a staffer. Last night, after presiding over the year's budget vote, he did indeed submitt his signed resignation, effective Friday 5pm. An election will be held, date TBD.
Good riddance. Tory was the last person I thought would be derailed by a sex scandal (and depressingly it's kind of quaint to see a politician proactively resign due to an affair) but he was arguably just as bad for the city as Rob Ford was, just less personally chaotic. Hopefully the progressives can agree on an unity candidate that can win the special election.
Two other observations: Tory was reelected decisively for a third term last October, which meant this affair had already happened and he had concealed it from the voters. I think most people feel pretty cheated that he chose to run again knowing this now.
Tory also sits on the board of Rogers Communications, one of the big Canadian telecom companies, and is very close to the Rogers family, which has had its share of massive controversy over the last few years. The Rogers family is easily one of the scummiest in Canada along with the Weston grocery magnates.
Apparently Tory's affair partner moved into a job with Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (owner of the Toronto NHL and NBA teams) which is also owned by Rogers. I'm sure Tory's seat on the board had NOTHING to do that.
posted by fortitude25 at 8:55 AM on February 16, 2023 [9 favorites]
Two other observations: Tory was reelected decisively for a third term last October, which meant this affair had already happened and he had concealed it from the voters. I think most people feel pretty cheated that he chose to run again knowing this now.
Tory also sits on the board of Rogers Communications, one of the big Canadian telecom companies, and is very close to the Rogers family, which has had its share of massive controversy over the last few years. The Rogers family is easily one of the scummiest in Canada along with the Weston grocery magnates.
Apparently Tory's affair partner moved into a job with Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (owner of the Toronto NHL and NBA teams) which is also owned by Rogers. I'm sure Tory's seat on the board had NOTHING to do that.
posted by fortitude25 at 8:55 AM on February 16, 2023 [9 favorites]
I'm starting to feel my (Ottawa) brother's sanctimonious chirping about Alberta politics can suck it already
I will reserve final judgement till the Alberta electorate shows its true colours (and dear lord I hope the predominant colour is orange)
posted by elkevelvet at 9:10 AM on February 16, 2023 [3 favorites]
I will reserve final judgement till the Alberta electorate shows its true colours (and dear lord I hope the predominant colour is orange)
posted by elkevelvet at 9:10 AM on February 16, 2023 [3 favorites]
but he was arguably just as bad for the city as Rob Ford was, just less personally chaotic.
In policy terms, he was Rob Ford with better manners, and this city deserves better.
posted by mhoye at 9:13 AM on February 16, 2023 [9 favorites]
In policy terms, he was Rob Ford with better manners, and this city deserves better.
posted by mhoye at 9:13 AM on February 16, 2023 [9 favorites]
Tory was the last person I thought would be derailed by a sex scandal (and depressingly it's kind of quaint to see a politician proactively resign due to an affair) but he was arguably just as bad for the city as Rob Ford was, just less personally chaotic.
Yep. Essentially, he was Rob Ford without the crack and red-faced screaming. Which is arguably more dangerous because it meant that people were paying less attention to his committment to austerity and an aggressive program of managed decline for the city, its infrastructure, and municipal services.
Tory also sits on the board of Rogers Communications, one of the big Canadian telecom companies
He actually sits on the board of the Rogers Control Trust, which is the board that controls the Rogers family-owned shares in the company. Consequently, he has a say in who sits on the company's actual board of directors among other things. But yeah, same shit, different pile.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 9:14 AM on February 16, 2023 [10 favorites]
Yep. Essentially, he was Rob Ford without the crack and red-faced screaming. Which is arguably more dangerous because it meant that people were paying less attention to his committment to austerity and an aggressive program of managed decline for the city, its infrastructure, and municipal services.
Tory also sits on the board of Rogers Communications, one of the big Canadian telecom companies
He actually sits on the board of the Rogers Control Trust, which is the board that controls the Rogers family-owned shares in the company. Consequently, he has a say in who sits on the company's actual board of directors among other things. But yeah, same shit, different pile.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 9:14 AM on February 16, 2023 [10 favorites]
Thanks for the correction, it is SO hard to keep track of all the various levels of boards and trusts these people use to keep their hands on the levers of power. LOL
posted by fortitude25 at 9:19 AM on February 16, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by fortitude25 at 9:19 AM on February 16, 2023 [2 favorites]
What you all said. Tory was just a more palatable salesman for Rob Ford's policies to people who were put off by the publically sordid nature of Ford's scandals. What I expect and fear for the upcoming election is that a bunch of progressive (some of whom will be "progressive") candidates will pull each other back down into the pot, leaving a clear path to victory for someone like Brad Bradford (who will be a shoo-in if he changes his name to Brad Brad Ford).
> I'm starting to feel my (Ottawa) brother's sanctimonious chirping about Alberta politics can suck it already
My wife now lives and works in Calgary, which means that someday (hopefully sooner rather than later) I will too, and we make a lot of "rock and a hard place"-type jokes about the political climate in these two provinces.
posted by The Card Cheat at 9:23 AM on February 16, 2023 [5 favorites]
> I'm starting to feel my (Ottawa) brother's sanctimonious chirping about Alberta politics can suck it already
My wife now lives and works in Calgary, which means that someday (hopefully sooner rather than later) I will too, and we make a lot of "rock and a hard place"-type jokes about the political climate in these two provinces.
posted by The Card Cheat at 9:23 AM on February 16, 2023 [5 favorites]
As has already been pointed out, it's rather quaint to see someone resign over an old-fashioned heterosexual May-November office affair, especially when the guy has just been massively reelected and when we've learned recently that there's no particular reason to have any shame if there are no laws physically forcing you to. But, I'll take it. Here's hoping for Peñalosa not to take the Catherine McKenney route.
posted by saturday_morning at 9:24 AM on February 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by saturday_morning at 9:24 AM on February 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
These two tweets have been my favourite humorous take on the situation.
posted by The Card Cheat at 9:27 AM on February 16, 2023 [16 favorites]
posted by The Card Cheat at 9:27 AM on February 16, 2023 [16 favorites]
He actually sits on the board of the Rogers Control Trust, which is the board that controls the Rogers family-owned shares in the company.
Is it typical for elected officials as high profile as Mayor of Toronto to sit on boards that are equally high profile? This seems quantitively different than serving on the board of an arts organization for example.
posted by mmascolino at 9:29 AM on February 16, 2023
Is it typical for elected officials as high profile as Mayor of Toronto to sit on boards that are equally high profile? This seems quantitively different than serving on the board of an arts organization for example.
posted by mmascolino at 9:29 AM on February 16, 2023
it is SO hard to keep track of all the various levels of boards and trusts these people use to keep their hands on the levers of power
Oh, it's staggeringly Byzantine web. Not to mention the big 'ol Tory family law firm, Torys LLP, which has a hand in structuring some of these things.
The publisher's blurb for Peter Newman's The Canadian Establishment, a book that's nearly 50 years old, is still relevant:
In the 1970s, a thousand men formed Canada's unelected government—invisible, inbred, secretive, puritanical and tough-minded business-men dedicated to preserving the status quo—their status quo. In this fascinating and factual account, we see who had the power, how they achieved it, how they held onto it and how they used and abused it.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 9:29 AM on February 16, 2023 [9 favorites]
Oh, it's staggeringly Byzantine web. Not to mention the big 'ol Tory family law firm, Torys LLP, which has a hand in structuring some of these things.
The publisher's blurb for Peter Newman's The Canadian Establishment, a book that's nearly 50 years old, is still relevant:
In the 1970s, a thousand men formed Canada's unelected government—invisible, inbred, secretive, puritanical and tough-minded business-men dedicated to preserving the status quo—their status quo. In this fascinating and factual account, we see who had the power, how they achieved it, how they held onto it and how they used and abused it.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 9:29 AM on February 16, 2023 [9 favorites]
Is it typical for elected officials as high profile as Mayor of Toronto to sit on boards that are equally high profile?
Plenty of people think it's a messed-up conflict of interest. Buuut...formal complaints on the matter yielded no results:
Toronto Mayor John Tory did not break conflict of interest rules when he voted to dial back ActiveTO road closures on Lake Shore Boulevard this summer, the city's integrity commissioner said in a report released Tuesday.
Tory was the subject of a complaint submitted to the commissioner in July alleging that due to his ties to Rogers Communications — the telecommunications giant that owns the Toronto Blue Jays — the mayor should have recused himself from the June 15 vote in council.
Tory is a Rogers shareholder and an adviser to the Rogers Control Trust (RCT), a role that comes with annual compensation of $100,000. The RCT, set up after founder Ted Rogers died, is run by family and friends with voting rights. Tory publicly disclosed these connections during his first run for mayor in 2014 and has declared conflicts in relation to Rogers on multiple occasions since he was elected.
Sigh.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 9:32 AM on February 16, 2023 [2 favorites]
Plenty of people think it's a messed-up conflict of interest. Buuut...formal complaints on the matter yielded no results:
Toronto Mayor John Tory did not break conflict of interest rules when he voted to dial back ActiveTO road closures on Lake Shore Boulevard this summer, the city's integrity commissioner said in a report released Tuesday.
Tory was the subject of a complaint submitted to the commissioner in July alleging that due to his ties to Rogers Communications — the telecommunications giant that owns the Toronto Blue Jays — the mayor should have recused himself from the June 15 vote in council.
Tory is a Rogers shareholder and an adviser to the Rogers Control Trust (RCT), a role that comes with annual compensation of $100,000. The RCT, set up after founder Ted Rogers died, is run by family and friends with voting rights. Tory publicly disclosed these connections during his first run for mayor in 2014 and has declared conflicts in relation to Rogers on multiple occasions since he was elected.
Sigh.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 9:32 AM on February 16, 2023 [2 favorites]
As has already been pointed out, it's rather quaint to see someone resign over an old-fashioned heterosexual May-November office affair
My half-baked theory is that Tory simply doesn't know how to walk into a room without his Mr. Respectability reputation walking in ahead of him.
posted by clawsoon at 9:46 AM on February 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
My half-baked theory is that Tory simply doesn't know how to walk into a room without his Mr. Respectability reputation walking in ahead of him.
posted by clawsoon at 9:46 AM on February 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
Too many people reporting over this story focusing on "resigning over affair" while omitting the more important "with employee" part. Absent the latter part, I doubt he'd resign.
posted by lookoutbelow at 9:51 AM on February 16, 2023 [9 favorites]
posted by lookoutbelow at 9:51 AM on February 16, 2023 [9 favorites]
There's a lot of chatter about how there's more behind the resignation than just the affair, but for now that's all it is.
posted by The Card Cheat at 9:59 AM on February 16, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by The Card Cheat at 9:59 AM on February 16, 2023 [2 favorites]
To be faaair, an individual of negotiable affection was noted leaving Rob Ford's office on at least one occasion, though she notably did not work for the city. Expect, arguably, on a piece work basis. Rob Ford did not resign over that, so that's roughly where Doug's ethical lines can be expected to be drawn.
posted by bonehead at 10:04 AM on February 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by bonehead at 10:04 AM on February 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
[procedural confusion]
posted by Ten Cold Hot Dogs at 10:09 AM on February 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by Ten Cold Hot Dogs at 10:09 AM on February 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
Tory was the last person I thought would be derailed by a sex scandal (and depressingly it's kind of quaint to see a politician proactively resign due to an affair) but he was arguably just as bad for the city as Rob Ford was, just less personally chaotic.
There is no "arguably" about this: John Tory was absolutely a worse Mayor than Rob Ford was. Ford was an embarrassment and a fool and a thug, but his personal peccadilloes and mannerisms meant that he was easily derailed, and in fact he was so for about half of his term. Also, Rob Ford was Mayor for four years and a relatively powerless one for two of those four. John Tory has been mayor for nine years and change.
Under John Tory, the state of good repair backlog - IE, the cost of repairs to existing infrastructure that are overdue - ballooned from just over two and a half billion dollars in 2014 to ten billion now. City staffing has remained effectively stagnant due to hiring freezes while the city itself has grown by approximately 300,000 people. User fees (costs for city services, which are predominantly paid by poor people) have grown faster than property taxes every year under John Tory. The only city service John Tory has been willing to pay more money for, predictably, are the cops (who get above-inflation pay hikes every year). The city's reserve fund is essentially gone at this point, having been used up over the past decade to cover budget shortfalls John Tory didn't want to pay for with property taxes.
This year will be the first year where property taxes increase more than the rate of inflation since *2009*, which is a nice way of saying that the city has been subsidizing homeowner value for more than a decade with what are literally the lowest property tax values in the province. Rental costs in Toronto have skyrocketed during the same period, to the tune of increasing by about forty-five percent over Tory's nine years. Tory's response has been encouraging developers to build more shitty, undersized condos in the downtown core, because shitty undersized condos are an easy way for developers to maximize profits and John Tory is all about helping bidness.
Every year, for nine years, John Tory has complained that the province and the feds don't kick enough money back to Toronto. He isn't wrong, but at the same time his refusal to use the revenue tools available to him give the province and the feds an easy excuse not to send us more money. Tory supporters have often told me he is necessary because he's such a good negotiator, but what the hell has he negotiated for this city other than decline and rot?
The truth is this: Tory is your bog-standard Canadian Establishment Guy. He was a fuckup when he managed Rogers, he was a fuckup when he managed the CFL, he was a fuckup when he was the leader of the Ontario Tories, but he looks like what a mayor should look like to a lot of people so his track record is immaterial. He's kind of selfish and stupid, but the people he hangs out with are kind of selfish and stupid so it's never an issue, and all he really wants is to be admired without the hard work of doing anything admirable.
There's a lot of chatter about how there's more behind the resignation than just the affair, but for now that's all it is.
See, this could go either way. On the one hand, John Tory absolutely could be involved in more scandal than is currently evident - I mean, the guy backroom-dealt with Doug Ford to get those strong-mayor powers nobody campaigned on, and he's part of the establishment and the Canadian establishment is all about profiting off society, like real estate developers did when they very obviously bribed Doug Ford to learn when he would be opening up the Greenbelt so they could buy land cheaply. John Tory could absolutely be involved in that, or something like that. The fact that Doug Ford was very openly saying he wanted Tory to stick around probably means there's more than smoke to that fire.
On the other hand, he's a self-important fatuous dickhead who very likely thinks of himself as "above" petty moral scandal, and getting caught in one would absolutely wreck his self-image, so the dignified resignation would absolutely be the sort of thing he would do.
And on the other other hand, people are only just starting to realize now how badly he's fucked this city over, and the opportunity to exit and leave the next guy holding the bag (while his sycophants are still pleading with him to stay) may well have been too good to pass up.
posted by mightygodking at 10:33 AM on February 16, 2023 [34 favorites]
There is no "arguably" about this: John Tory was absolutely a worse Mayor than Rob Ford was. Ford was an embarrassment and a fool and a thug, but his personal peccadilloes and mannerisms meant that he was easily derailed, and in fact he was so for about half of his term. Also, Rob Ford was Mayor for four years and a relatively powerless one for two of those four. John Tory has been mayor for nine years and change.
Under John Tory, the state of good repair backlog - IE, the cost of repairs to existing infrastructure that are overdue - ballooned from just over two and a half billion dollars in 2014 to ten billion now. City staffing has remained effectively stagnant due to hiring freezes while the city itself has grown by approximately 300,000 people. User fees (costs for city services, which are predominantly paid by poor people) have grown faster than property taxes every year under John Tory. The only city service John Tory has been willing to pay more money for, predictably, are the cops (who get above-inflation pay hikes every year). The city's reserve fund is essentially gone at this point, having been used up over the past decade to cover budget shortfalls John Tory didn't want to pay for with property taxes.
This year will be the first year where property taxes increase more than the rate of inflation since *2009*, which is a nice way of saying that the city has been subsidizing homeowner value for more than a decade with what are literally the lowest property tax values in the province. Rental costs in Toronto have skyrocketed during the same period, to the tune of increasing by about forty-five percent over Tory's nine years. Tory's response has been encouraging developers to build more shitty, undersized condos in the downtown core, because shitty undersized condos are an easy way for developers to maximize profits and John Tory is all about helping bidness.
Every year, for nine years, John Tory has complained that the province and the feds don't kick enough money back to Toronto. He isn't wrong, but at the same time his refusal to use the revenue tools available to him give the province and the feds an easy excuse not to send us more money. Tory supporters have often told me he is necessary because he's such a good negotiator, but what the hell has he negotiated for this city other than decline and rot?
The truth is this: Tory is your bog-standard Canadian Establishment Guy. He was a fuckup when he managed Rogers, he was a fuckup when he managed the CFL, he was a fuckup when he was the leader of the Ontario Tories, but he looks like what a mayor should look like to a lot of people so his track record is immaterial. He's kind of selfish and stupid, but the people he hangs out with are kind of selfish and stupid so it's never an issue, and all he really wants is to be admired without the hard work of doing anything admirable.
There's a lot of chatter about how there's more behind the resignation than just the affair, but for now that's all it is.
See, this could go either way. On the one hand, John Tory absolutely could be involved in more scandal than is currently evident - I mean, the guy backroom-dealt with Doug Ford to get those strong-mayor powers nobody campaigned on, and he's part of the establishment and the Canadian establishment is all about profiting off society, like real estate developers did when they very obviously bribed Doug Ford to learn when he would be opening up the Greenbelt so they could buy land cheaply. John Tory could absolutely be involved in that, or something like that. The fact that Doug Ford was very openly saying he wanted Tory to stick around probably means there's more than smoke to that fire.
On the other hand, he's a self-important fatuous dickhead who very likely thinks of himself as "above" petty moral scandal, and getting caught in one would absolutely wreck his self-image, so the dignified resignation would absolutely be the sort of thing he would do.
And on the other other hand, people are only just starting to realize now how badly he's fucked this city over, and the opportunity to exit and leave the next guy holding the bag (while his sycophants are still pleading with him to stay) may well have been too good to pass up.
posted by mightygodking at 10:33 AM on February 16, 2023 [34 favorites]
Yep. Essentially, he was Rob Ford without the crack and red-faced screaming. Which is arguably more dangerous because it meant that people were paying less attention to his committment to austerity and an aggressive program of managed decline for the city, its infrastructure, and municipal services.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 9:14 AM on February 16 [2 favorites +] [!]
Ford was a worse person. Tory, by dint of his reign being longer and the fact that he was actually able to hold a council majority together to advance his agenda, was a waaaaaaaay worse mayor.
posted by The Notorious SRD at 10:34 AM on February 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 9:14 AM on February 16 [2 favorites +] [!]
Ford was a worse person. Tory, by dint of his reign being longer and the fact that he was actually able to hold a council majority together to advance his agenda, was a waaaaaaaay worse mayor.
posted by The Notorious SRD at 10:34 AM on February 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
Every year, for nine years, John Tory has complained that the province and the feds don't kick enough money back to Toronto. He isn't wrong, but at the same time his refusal to use the revenue tools available to him give the province and the feds an easy excuse not to send us more money.
It doesn't help that Tory refused to give up on the idea of blowing the entire transportation budget on rebuilding the Gardiner Expressway, whose sole purpose for existence is to reduce downtown automobile commute time by about three minutes.
And on the other other hand, people are only just starting to realize now how badly he's fucked this city over
It wasn't really noticeable until people started to emerge from the pandemic. Toronto is a harsher, colder, meaner city than it's ever been in my lifetime (and I am over 60).
Gil Peñalosa, the runner-up in the last election, and a supremely qualified urbanist with liberal tendencies, has announced he'll run again. Smart liberals will (and have) pull in behind Peñalosa, and if we're lucky, we may see a mayor who doesn't suck before the summer begins.
We'll only get a mayor who doesn't suck if this candidate is able to appeal to, and win over, some of Toronto's suburban voters. Toronto is majority suburban and has been ever since amalgamation.
What's more likely to happen is that a half-dozen well-meaning civic-minded urban-oriented people will run for mayor, splitting the downtown vote, while Ford (and Kouvalis or whoever strategizes for Ford these days) works the backroom to find one suitable provincial-friendly candidate and then backs him with funding and an advertising blitz.
I voted for Penalosa last time and might well do so again, but he's going to have to, at least, put up lawn signs in the suburbs and tour there so that people outside of the old city of Toronto have some idea who he is.
posted by tallmiddleagedgeek at 11:02 AM on February 16, 2023 [6 favorites]
It doesn't help that Tory refused to give up on the idea of blowing the entire transportation budget on rebuilding the Gardiner Expressway, whose sole purpose for existence is to reduce downtown automobile commute time by about three minutes.
And on the other other hand, people are only just starting to realize now how badly he's fucked this city over
It wasn't really noticeable until people started to emerge from the pandemic. Toronto is a harsher, colder, meaner city than it's ever been in my lifetime (and I am over 60).
Gil Peñalosa, the runner-up in the last election, and a supremely qualified urbanist with liberal tendencies, has announced he'll run again. Smart liberals will (and have) pull in behind Peñalosa, and if we're lucky, we may see a mayor who doesn't suck before the summer begins.
We'll only get a mayor who doesn't suck if this candidate is able to appeal to, and win over, some of Toronto's suburban voters. Toronto is majority suburban and has been ever since amalgamation.
What's more likely to happen is that a half-dozen well-meaning civic-minded urban-oriented people will run for mayor, splitting the downtown vote, while Ford (and Kouvalis or whoever strategizes for Ford these days) works the backroom to find one suitable provincial-friendly candidate and then backs him with funding and an advertising blitz.
I voted for Penalosa last time and might well do so again, but he's going to have to, at least, put up lawn signs in the suburbs and tour there so that people outside of the old city of Toronto have some idea who he is.
posted by tallmiddleagedgeek at 11:02 AM on February 16, 2023 [6 favorites]
What's more likely to happen is that a half-dozen well-meaning civic-minded urban-oriented people will run for mayor, splitting the downtown vote, while Ford (and Kouvalis or whoever strategizes for Ford these days) works the backroom to find one suitable provincial-friendly candidate and then backs him with funding and an advertising blitz.
It is rather obvious at this point that the aforementioned conservative candidate will be Brad Bradford, who in addition to having a truly dumb name is also a complete lickspittle for the establishment.
posted by mightygodking at 11:11 AM on February 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
It is rather obvious at this point that the aforementioned conservative candidate will be Brad Bradford, who in addition to having a truly dumb name is also a complete lickspittle for the establishment.
posted by mightygodking at 11:11 AM on February 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
In policy terms, he was Rob Ford with better manners, and this city deserves better.
Does it? I mean, we keep picking them.
posted by rodlymight at 11:21 AM on February 16, 2023 [5 favorites]
Does it? I mean, we keep picking them.
posted by rodlymight at 11:21 AM on February 16, 2023 [5 favorites]
Good riddance.
I took my 84 year old mom grocery shopping a few days ago and she asked what I thought about "everything that's going on" with John Tory. I said I thought he was a scumbag and she said, "oh no, I like him" and "everyone makes mistakes" which is hilariously my lifelong-Conservative parents' brand, if you're a rich white dude who they voted for. David Miller was "weak" she said, which I guess doesn't take mistakes into account.
Anyhow hopefully Gil Peñalosa can win, but isn't there talk of Michael Ford, greasy Doug's nephew, running? Are we kidding ourselves that he just won't be mayor based on shenanigans or just Doug Ford outright making an Ontario law that his nephew has to be mayor of Toronto?
posted by chococat at 11:26 AM on February 16, 2023 [6 favorites]
I took my 84 year old mom grocery shopping a few days ago and she asked what I thought about "everything that's going on" with John Tory. I said I thought he was a scumbag and she said, "oh no, I like him" and "everyone makes mistakes" which is hilariously my lifelong-Conservative parents' brand, if you're a rich white dude who they voted for. David Miller was "weak" she said, which I guess doesn't take mistakes into account.
Anyhow hopefully Gil Peñalosa can win, but isn't there talk of Michael Ford, greasy Doug's nephew, running? Are we kidding ourselves that he just won't be mayor based on shenanigans or just Doug Ford outright making an Ontario law that his nephew has to be mayor of Toronto?
posted by chococat at 11:26 AM on February 16, 2023 [6 favorites]
I think it's pretty obscene that Tory announced his intention to resign in disgrace, but then stayed on just long enough to oversee a budget meeting that increased the police budget by $48 million
posted by mrjohnmuller at 11:35 AM on February 16, 2023 [11 favorites]
posted by mrjohnmuller at 11:35 AM on February 16, 2023 [11 favorites]
"I have come to the sad conclusion that I am not fit for this office, so I will leave it, as soon as I have finished exercising some of the most consequential power of this office"
posted by saturday_morning at 11:45 AM on February 16, 2023 [7 favorites]
posted by saturday_morning at 11:45 AM on February 16, 2023 [7 favorites]
"There's a lot of chatter about how there's more behind the resignation than just the affair, but for now that's all it is."
Idle speculation, but it's hard not to think there's something behind the speed at which he resigned. His resignation announcement was the first I heard that something was even up. I mean, I'm glad he went this easily, but why did he go this easily?
posted by Capt. Renault at 11:46 AM on February 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
Idle speculation, but it's hard not to think there's something behind the speed at which he resigned. His resignation announcement was the first I heard that something was even up. I mean, I'm glad he went this easily, but why did he go this easily?
posted by Capt. Renault at 11:46 AM on February 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
Cynical people are saying that this has been a good distraction from news stories about Doug Ford and property developers.
posted by clawsoon at 11:50 AM on February 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by clawsoon at 11:50 AM on February 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
> I said I thought he was a scumbag and she said, "oh no, I like him" and "everyone makes mistakes"
This right here is 100% the dynamic between conservative voters and straight, white, conservative politicians. You never have to do anything right, you don't even have to do things to benefit your core voters, you just have to be straight, white and conservative and the people who vote you into office will forgive you practically anything aside from raising taxes, if they pay attention to you at all until the next election. If you're not all of those things, well, it's a very different story.
posted by The Card Cheat at 11:54 AM on February 16, 2023 [10 favorites]
This right here is 100% the dynamic between conservative voters and straight, white, conservative politicians. You never have to do anything right, you don't even have to do things to benefit your core voters, you just have to be straight, white and conservative and the people who vote you into office will forgive you practically anything aside from raising taxes, if they pay attention to you at all until the next election. If you're not all of those things, well, it's a very different story.
posted by The Card Cheat at 11:54 AM on February 16, 2023 [10 favorites]
Cynical people are saying that this has been a good distraction from news stories about Doug Ford and property developers.
What exactly is the logic here, considering Doug wanted him to stay?
posted by Dark Messiah at 12:08 PM on February 16, 2023
What exactly is the logic here, considering Doug wanted him to stay?
posted by Dark Messiah at 12:08 PM on February 16, 2023
Cynical people aren't always right, I guess.
posted by clawsoon at 12:11 PM on February 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by clawsoon at 12:11 PM on February 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
The "Dung wanted him to stay" thing does suggest this is some bizarre personality foible in an otherwise perfectly tory Tory. Either that or someone has something really bad on him and said get out with whatever excuse you want, but get out now.
posted by seanmpuckett at 12:29 PM on February 16, 2023
posted by seanmpuckett at 12:29 PM on February 16, 2023
If I had to wager on something, it's that there's more skeletons in the closet and making a hasty exit -- while still presiding over the budget -- was an attempt to dodge further inquiry. It's possible he suffered a sudden attack of conscience, but I am skeptical.
posted by Dark Messiah at 12:33 PM on February 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by Dark Messiah at 12:33 PM on February 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
Frank D'Angelo has announced that he'll be running for mayor….so there's THAT to look forward to.
posted by brachiopod at 12:46 PM on February 16, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by brachiopod at 12:46 PM on February 16, 2023 [2 favorites]
Ford nation is in the top reasons for not moving to Ontario.
posted by zenon at 12:58 PM on February 16, 2023
posted by zenon at 12:58 PM on February 16, 2023
I can't think of a good candidate that would be able to get the votes to win an election. I voted for Gil last time around and Keesmaat before that but I had no hope of either of them winning. There's no incumbency advantage now so it'll all come down to name recognition because I don't trust the majority of voters of Toronto to actually look into the policies the various candidates will propose. Do you think Drake wants to run for mayor?
Right now my dark horse candidate to win it all is Michael Bryant. Gil vs someone that actually killed a cyclist, it wouldn't even be a contest.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 1:00 PM on February 16, 2023 [3 favorites]
Right now my dark horse candidate to win it all is Michael Bryant. Gil vs someone that actually killed a cyclist, it wouldn't even be a contest.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 1:00 PM on February 16, 2023 [3 favorites]
Frank D'Angelo
All right, elder gods. Can you please let us know exactly what we have collectively done to stir up these eldritch horrors? I have some ideas, but I'd like clarification on a few items. TIA.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 1:06 PM on February 16, 2023
All right, elder gods. Can you please let us know exactly what we have collectively done to stir up these eldritch horrors? I have some ideas, but I'd like clarification on a few items. TIA.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 1:06 PM on February 16, 2023
"... so it'll all come down to name recognition..."
Olivia Chow? Mike Layton? Adam Vaughan? Pinball?
posted by Capt. Renault at 1:17 PM on February 16, 2023
Olivia Chow? Mike Layton? Adam Vaughan? Pinball?
posted by Capt. Renault at 1:17 PM on February 16, 2023
Pinball announced he isn't running. Joe Cressy also isn't.
posted by saturday_morning at 1:23 PM on February 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by saturday_morning at 1:23 PM on February 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
it's kind of quaint to see a politician proactively resign due to an affair
My understanding is that he announced is resignation an hour after the Toronto Star broke the story. So he wasn't really resigning over an affair (with an employee), he was resigning over getting caught and outed.
And then of course he blew even that semblance of honour by trying to hang around for the budget vote.
/Insert comment about mediocre white men, himpathy, etc. here./
posted by rpfields at 1:27 PM on February 16, 2023
My understanding is that he announced is resignation an hour after the Toronto Star broke the story. So he wasn't really resigning over an affair (with an employee), he was resigning over getting caught and outed.
And then of course he blew even that semblance of honour by trying to hang around for the budget vote.
/Insert comment about mediocre white men, himpathy, etc. here./
posted by rpfields at 1:27 PM on February 16, 2023
wait wait Pinball is in the conversation as a legit mayor candidate?
on one hand I've met the dude and his charisma is too huge to be measured by human instruments.
on the other hand, aside from a short stint as Argos president, not a lot of executive experience there.
he says he's not running so this is academic but it's hard not to smile when I think of the phrase "Mayor Pinball." He's a great Canadian immigrant story, too.
posted by Sauce Trough at 2:00 PM on February 16, 2023
on one hand I've met the dude and his charisma is too huge to be measured by human instruments.
on the other hand, aside from a short stint as Argos president, not a lot of executive experience there.
he says he's not running so this is academic but it's hard not to smile when I think of the phrase "Mayor Pinball." He's a great Canadian immigrant story, too.
posted by Sauce Trough at 2:00 PM on February 16, 2023
So what if Penalosa wins? I can't see Doffo permitting that.
posted by Jessica Savitch's Coke Spoon at 2:15 PM on February 16, 2023
posted by Jessica Savitch's Coke Spoon at 2:15 PM on February 16, 2023
So what if Penalosa wins? I can't see Doffo permitting that.
"Well, folks, it's pretty clear to me that strong mayors should get strong mayor powers. But a guy like Gil, he's a weak guy, so he gets weak mayor powers. Anyway, let me tell you about this toque I got from a guy named Bob at a hardware store, it's a great story..."
posted by clawsoon at 2:21 PM on February 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
"Well, folks, it's pretty clear to me that strong mayors should get strong mayor powers. But a guy like Gil, he's a weak guy, so he gets weak mayor powers. Anyway, let me tell you about this toque I got from a guy named Bob at a hardware store, it's a great story..."
posted by clawsoon at 2:21 PM on February 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
has anyone compiled a frequency study of Ford's use of folksy phrases and literally the word "folks"
in last night's news clip I heard "folks" twice and he managed to talk about "not upsetting the apple cart"
I mean, at least Ralph Klein maintained the residual instincts of a journalist to rein the "bumpkin charm" in a little before it got too thick. Why, Ontario? Why??
elect me once shame on you elect me twice SHAME ON YOU
posted by elkevelvet at 2:30 PM on February 16, 2023 [2 favorites]
in last night's news clip I heard "folks" twice and he managed to talk about "not upsetting the apple cart"
I mean, at least Ralph Klein maintained the residual instincts of a journalist to rein the "bumpkin charm" in a little before it got too thick. Why, Ontario? Why??
elect me once shame on you elect me twice SHAME ON YOU
posted by elkevelvet at 2:30 PM on February 16, 2023 [2 favorites]
Strong mayor powers only apply to provincial priorities, it turns out.
posted by rodlymight at 2:30 PM on February 16, 2023
posted by rodlymight at 2:30 PM on February 16, 2023
on the other hand, aside from a short stint as Argos president, not a lot of executive experience there
Which previous mayors of Toronto had a lot of executive experience prior to getting the job? Furniture salesman Mel Lastman? Local councillor David Miller? Local councillor Rob Ford? It's just John Tory who had any and that was all because of his family. This pretty much goes for all of our political leaders at all levels, none of them had high-level experience unless it involved working at a family business, but they got voted in because they looked the part.
I don't even think being mayor of Toronto needs that much experience, the place didn't immediately fall apart during the Rob Ford years after all. I just want someone that actually loves the city and is looking for ways to make it better instead of just trying to keep the tax bill down and I think Pinball would do that. After the speech Gord Perks gave yesterday during the budget deliberations I'd say he wouldn't be a bad choice either.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 2:42 PM on February 16, 2023 [3 favorites]
Which previous mayors of Toronto had a lot of executive experience prior to getting the job? Furniture salesman Mel Lastman? Local councillor David Miller? Local councillor Rob Ford? It's just John Tory who had any and that was all because of his family. This pretty much goes for all of our political leaders at all levels, none of them had high-level experience unless it involved working at a family business, but they got voted in because they looked the part.
I don't even think being mayor of Toronto needs that much experience, the place didn't immediately fall apart during the Rob Ford years after all. I just want someone that actually loves the city and is looking for ways to make it better instead of just trying to keep the tax bill down and I think Pinball would do that. After the speech Gord Perks gave yesterday during the budget deliberations I'd say he wouldn't be a bad choice either.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 2:42 PM on February 16, 2023 [3 favorites]
elect me once shame on you elect me twice SHAME ON YOU
"tickety boo"
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 2:43 PM on February 16, 2023
"tickety boo"
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 2:43 PM on February 16, 2023
Why, Ontario? Why??
I don't know, ask the 56.47% of eligible voters who stayed home. I didn't vote for him.
posted by Dark Messiah at 3:06 PM on February 16, 2023 [3 favorites]
I don't know, ask the 56.47% of eligible voters who stayed home. I didn't vote for him.
posted by Dark Messiah at 3:06 PM on February 16, 2023 [3 favorites]
"Folks" has been a Rob and Doug Ford thing for as long as they've been in politics. It's another sign of how easy it is for wealthy (white, male) conservative politicians to kayfabe as just one of the fellas, a down-to-earth regular joe you could have a beer with.
posted by The Card Cheat at 3:32 PM on February 16, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by The Card Cheat at 3:32 PM on February 16, 2023 [3 favorites]
he says he's not running so this is academic but it's hard not to smile when I think of the phrase "Mayor Pinball." He's a great Canadian immigrant story, too.
I would vote for Pinball Clemons in a heartbeat, it's totally irrational and instinctive because of what happened to me around 1990:
My little brother and I (ages ten and eight,and both short for our age) went to an event where Pinball was signing autographs. We were some of the few kids in line. Anyway, the line was moving super slow and we realized it's because Pinball was chatting with each person for 2-3 minutes, which is a long time in an autograph line.
When we get up to the table, Pinball sees the two of us and his face just breaks out in the most impossibly decent smile you can imagine. "HEY!" he says, comes out from around the table and kneels down so he can look us in the eyes and gives us enormous high fives. He tells everyone around us "here are two little guys, like me! Us little guys have to stick together cause the big guys don't always get us!" He talks to us in that vein for what seemed like an hour but was probably just a couple of minutes, and then has his assistant grab a couple of footballs, autographs them, and gives us them along with more high fives.
It was the single most positive celebrity encounter of my life, and I'm an indifferent football fan at best. I cannot believe how radiant and happy the guy was to meet me and my brother. I have held my breath over the years and prayed nothing bad ever comes out about Pinball.
Anyway, I figured I'd contribute something positive to the thread to give everyone a break from the awfulness of Toronto politics.
posted by fortitude25 at 3:39 PM on February 16, 2023 [17 favorites]
I would vote for Pinball Clemons in a heartbeat, it's totally irrational and instinctive because of what happened to me around 1990:
My little brother and I (ages ten and eight,and both short for our age) went to an event where Pinball was signing autographs. We were some of the few kids in line. Anyway, the line was moving super slow and we realized it's because Pinball was chatting with each person for 2-3 minutes, which is a long time in an autograph line.
When we get up to the table, Pinball sees the two of us and his face just breaks out in the most impossibly decent smile you can imagine. "HEY!" he says, comes out from around the table and kneels down so he can look us in the eyes and gives us enormous high fives. He tells everyone around us "here are two little guys, like me! Us little guys have to stick together cause the big guys don't always get us!" He talks to us in that vein for what seemed like an hour but was probably just a couple of minutes, and then has his assistant grab a couple of footballs, autographs them, and gives us them along with more high fives.
It was the single most positive celebrity encounter of my life, and I'm an indifferent football fan at best. I cannot believe how radiant and happy the guy was to meet me and my brother. I have held my breath over the years and prayed nothing bad ever comes out about Pinball.
Anyway, I figured I'd contribute something positive to the thread to give everyone a break from the awfulness of Toronto politics.
posted by fortitude25 at 3:39 PM on February 16, 2023 [17 favorites]
I don't know, ask the 56.47% of eligible voters who stayed home. I didn't vote for him.
I inadvertently learned some Ford Nation math in a comments section last year: one dude (kind of guy with the front-seat-of-the-F150 profile pic, of course) held forth on the massive landslide win by DoFo being a repudiation of all things left/socialist/woke and would not hear any different, particularly the incontrovertible math that the Tories captured about 18% of the vote.
No, he patiently explained to the sore losers: a MAJORITY government means a MAJORITY of people voted for the guy, end of story.
I pointed out that about 43.5%of eligible voters cast ballots, and the PCs got only 41% of the vote. He thanked me for proving his point, as 41% is almost all of 43.5%.
Such is the level of sophistication of Ford Nation.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 4:58 PM on February 16, 2023 [9 favorites]
I inadvertently learned some Ford Nation math in a comments section last year: one dude (kind of guy with the front-seat-of-the-F150 profile pic, of course) held forth on the massive landslide win by DoFo being a repudiation of all things left/socialist/woke and would not hear any different, particularly the incontrovertible math that the Tories captured about 18% of the vote.
No, he patiently explained to the sore losers: a MAJORITY government means a MAJORITY of people voted for the guy, end of story.
I pointed out that about 43.5%of eligible voters cast ballots, and the PCs got only 41% of the vote. He thanked me for proving his point, as 41% is almost all of 43.5%.
Such is the level of sophistication of Ford Nation.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 4:58 PM on February 16, 2023 [9 favorites]
Cynical people are saying that this has been a good distraction from news stories about Doug Ford and property developers.
I totally see where they're coming from. The fundamental problem that leads people to these kinds of theories is that there is so much bad shit happening at any given time now that any one of them could in theory be a distraction for one of the other supremely shitty things going on. There's just too many terrible things being pushed at us all at once.
Olivia Chow? Mike Layton? Adam Vaughan? Pinball?
I don't know why Olivia Chow's name hasn't come back up, but I wonder if she is now too polarizing a figure. Which is absolutely ridiculous given that she would mostly have that reputation because she's left-leaning and a female person of colour, but that's Toronto for you.
I assume Layton's not doing it for the same reason Cressy's out, but it is worth noting he seemed to lead initial polling about candidates for replacing John Tory.
I had also assumed that people like Adam Vaughan and Kristyn Wong-Tam would be out because they're sitting MPPs, but then the Star put up an article suggesting a number of MPs and MPPs are considering running. I think it's still kind of a cynical move that at least Wong-Tam wouldn't consider because it wouldn't be fair to the constituents that elected them, but at the same time Wong-Tam is the one I wish WOULD do it because they're by far the candidate I'd be most excited for in an upcoming election.
posted by chrominance at 5:29 PM on February 16, 2023 [2 favorites]
I totally see where they're coming from. The fundamental problem that leads people to these kinds of theories is that there is so much bad shit happening at any given time now that any one of them could in theory be a distraction for one of the other supremely shitty things going on. There's just too many terrible things being pushed at us all at once.
Olivia Chow? Mike Layton? Adam Vaughan? Pinball?
I don't know why Olivia Chow's name hasn't come back up, but I wonder if she is now too polarizing a figure. Which is absolutely ridiculous given that she would mostly have that reputation because she's left-leaning and a female person of colour, but that's Toronto for you.
I assume Layton's not doing it for the same reason Cressy's out, but it is worth noting he seemed to lead initial polling about candidates for replacing John Tory.
I had also assumed that people like Adam Vaughan and Kristyn Wong-Tam would be out because they're sitting MPPs, but then the Star put up an article suggesting a number of MPs and MPPs are considering running. I think it's still kind of a cynical move that at least Wong-Tam wouldn't consider because it wouldn't be fair to the constituents that elected them, but at the same time Wong-Tam is the one I wish WOULD do it because they're by far the candidate I'd be most excited for in an upcoming election.
posted by chrominance at 5:29 PM on February 16, 2023 [2 favorites]
I don't think Olivia Chow's name has come back up because she's disappeared over the last 8 years. I'm sure she's been doing good work but we don't know about it.
Last year's election only saw 29% of eligible voters turn up and actually vote so there's scope for any candidate that's able to get out the vote to win this.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 5:36 PM on February 16, 2023
Last year's election only saw 29% of eligible voters turn up and actually vote so there's scope for any candidate that's able to get out the vote to win this.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 5:36 PM on February 16, 2023
Honestly, I think the thing I mind most about this breaking story is the unsavoury mental images it has generated in my head.
And while I'm glad to be rid of such a shitty mayor, you can add me to the list of people who think there's something a bit strange about John Tory being so quick (if not quick enough) to resign over a consensual affair, even it was with an employee. I won't speculate as to what the whole story might be because it would be purely speculation on my part, but I wouldn't be surprised if there's more to this.
posted by orange swan at 6:00 PM on February 16, 2023 [3 favorites]
And while I'm glad to be rid of such a shitty mayor, you can add me to the list of people who think there's something a bit strange about John Tory being so quick (if not quick enough) to resign over a consensual affair, even it was with an employee. I won't speculate as to what the whole story might be because it would be purely speculation on my part, but I wouldn't be surprised if there's more to this.
posted by orange swan at 6:00 PM on February 16, 2023 [3 favorites]
Last year's election only saw 29% of eligible voters turn up and actually vote so there's scope for any candidate that's able to get out the vote to win this.
This terrifying statistic makes it worth repeating: “Canadian entrepreneur” Frank D’Angelo is running for mayor!
posted by brachiopod at 7:02 PM on February 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
This terrifying statistic makes it worth repeating: “Canadian entrepreneur” Frank D’Angelo is running for mayor!
posted by brachiopod at 7:02 PM on February 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
TIL who Frank D’Angelo is and I really wish I hadn't
posted by scruss at 9:21 PM on February 16, 2023
posted by scruss at 9:21 PM on February 16, 2023
I mean I managed to watch 10 minutes of Sicilian Vampire so... yeah anyone involved (forget about writing/directing and staring in) that mess should be forever barred from office...
posted by cirhosis at 9:46 PM on February 16, 2023
posted by cirhosis at 9:46 PM on February 16, 2023
He thanked me for proving his point, as 41% is almost all of 43.5%.
This brings back all those repressed high school memories of tutoring classmates who wanted to get into trade colleges and needed to pass grade 11 math.
posted by bonehead at 5:45 AM on February 17, 2023 [1 favorite]
This brings back all those repressed high school memories of tutoring classmates who wanted to get into trade colleges and needed to pass grade 11 math.
posted by bonehead at 5:45 AM on February 17, 2023 [1 favorite]
I love KWT dearly, they were my cllr and they're now my mpp, they are amazing and kind and tireless and queer and smart as hell and ... I am not sure they're electable as mayor of toronto, as being a socialist gay asian afab non-binary person is like five strikes against them in Dung Fraud's suburbia, while Gil is at least a cishet somewhat white-passing man.
I hate being so damn cynical. I hate it.
posted by seanmpuckett at 5:53 AM on February 17, 2023 [1 favorite]
I hate being so damn cynical. I hate it.
posted by seanmpuckett at 5:53 AM on February 17, 2023 [1 favorite]
Living in a province where voters decided Doug Ford was the best choice for Premier TWICE will do that to you.
posted by The Card Cheat at 6:50 AM on February 17, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by The Card Cheat at 6:50 AM on February 17, 2023 [4 favorites]
I'm as angry as anyone about the turnout in the last Ontario provincial election. As always I wish to draw more attention to the conservative leaning media in our province, which continually and loudly broadcast throughout the entire election cycle since it was first announced: "THE CONS ARE IN, DON'T BOTHER VOTING". On the media prediction charts we even had conservative wins predicted for our left-leaning riding, with a popular NDP incumbent who of course returned, despite the press.
posted by ovvl at 8:13 AM on February 17, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by ovvl at 8:13 AM on February 17, 2023 [1 favorite]
There was no organizing, the Liberals had zero hope and decided to attack the NDP as the election got closer. The NDP, and their leadership, were also pretty much useless. The cons dominate the media, but that's hardly new. I realize teachers and healthcare workers had their hands full, but I didn't see any real effort from their side either -- it took Ford doing exactly what everyone knew he would to get the unions to talk to one another.
I knew we were fucked the moment I walked to the polling station and saw no lines and a sparse few other voters. You never get a new government with low turnout.
posted by Dark Messiah at 8:50 AM on February 17, 2023
I knew we were fucked the moment I walked to the polling station and saw no lines and a sparse few other voters. You never get a new government with low turnout.
posted by Dark Messiah at 8:50 AM on February 17, 2023
with no conservative blessed child waiting in the wings to run
You'd think this is the case but in Ottawa we had an amazing, qualified candidate in former councillor Catherine McKenney and the Liberal and Conservative establishment BANDED TOGETHER to dig up a milquetoast done-nothing entrepreneur whose main background is creating some vanity media outlets with webpages that look like web 1.0 blogs and cushy board appointments and he ran away with it because Ottawa, like Toronto, is controlled by the suburbs and rural wards. Every fucking federal and provincial liberal and conservative crawled out of the wordwork and held hands and sang kumbaya to get the guy into office - who only declared WELL into the campaign - and it worked like a charm. It's like they just fashioned another guy from the same boring, middling mould as the previous mayor, Jim Watson.
posted by urbanlenny at 8:50 AM on February 17, 2023 [3 favorites]
You'd think this is the case but in Ottawa we had an amazing, qualified candidate in former councillor Catherine McKenney and the Liberal and Conservative establishment BANDED TOGETHER to dig up a milquetoast done-nothing entrepreneur whose main background is creating some vanity media outlets with webpages that look like web 1.0 blogs and cushy board appointments and he ran away with it because Ottawa, like Toronto, is controlled by the suburbs and rural wards. Every fucking federal and provincial liberal and conservative crawled out of the wordwork and held hands and sang kumbaya to get the guy into office - who only declared WELL into the campaign - and it worked like a charm. It's like they just fashioned another guy from the same boring, middling mould as the previous mayor, Jim Watson.
posted by urbanlenny at 8:50 AM on February 17, 2023 [3 favorites]
The hero we deserve, yadda yadda:
A masked man wearing a cowboy hat threw eggs at John Tory's windows as he began his last day in office.
The John Tory-era equivalent of shirtless jogger, I guess?
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 9:32 AM on February 17, 2023
A masked man wearing a cowboy hat threw eggs at John Tory's windows as he began his last day in office.
The John Tory-era equivalent of shirtless jogger, I guess?
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 9:32 AM on February 17, 2023
I see The Beaverton has nailed their coverage of this issue:
"John Tory’s career inevitably cut short by his raw, unstoppable sexual magnetism"
and
"John Tory admits to fucking Toronto"
posted by orange swan at 10:46 AM on February 17, 2023 [3 favorites]
"John Tory’s career inevitably cut short by his raw, unstoppable sexual magnetism"
and
"John Tory admits to fucking Toronto"
posted by orange swan at 10:46 AM on February 17, 2023 [3 favorites]
There was no organizing, the Liberals had zero hope and decided to attack the NDP as the election got closer. The NDP, and their leadership, were also pretty much useless.
My riding, Willowdale, goes back and forth between the Liberals and Conservatives so it was definitely in play last election BUT the Liberal candidate was some person they seemed to have parachuted in and the NDP candidate looked like they weren't even trying to win. Same thing happened during the municipal elections, the two more suburban/conservative candidates had their signs everywhere while the more urban/progressive candidate barely had any. I dunno, maybe they were all focusing on a digital strategy that I wasn't seeing because I'm not on social media, but we had low turnout and the riding/ward was definitely winnable.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 12:28 PM on February 17, 2023 [1 favorite]
My riding, Willowdale, goes back and forth between the Liberals and Conservatives so it was definitely in play last election BUT the Liberal candidate was some person they seemed to have parachuted in and the NDP candidate looked like they weren't even trying to win. Same thing happened during the municipal elections, the two more suburban/conservative candidates had their signs everywhere while the more urban/progressive candidate barely had any. I dunno, maybe they were all focusing on a digital strategy that I wasn't seeing because I'm not on social media, but we had low turnout and the riding/ward was definitely winnable.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 12:28 PM on February 17, 2023 [1 favorite]
> I knew we were fucked the moment I walked to the polling station and saw no lines and a sparse few other voters.
I knew as soon as the NDP started in with the "don't trust the polls!" and "if we can just get the youth vote out!" messaging, the latter of which is, I'm sorry to say, a sure sign your campaign at any level of politics is toast.
posted by The Card Cheat at 8:19 PM on February 17, 2023 [2 favorites]
I knew as soon as the NDP started in with the "don't trust the polls!" and "if we can just get the youth vote out!" messaging, the latter of which is, I'm sorry to say, a sure sign your campaign at any level of politics is toast.
posted by The Card Cheat at 8:19 PM on February 17, 2023 [2 favorites]
What I expect and fear for the upcoming election is that a bunch of progressive (some of whom will be "progressive") candidates will pull each other back down into the pot, leaving a clear path to victory for someone like Brad Bradford (who will be a shoo-in if he changes his name to Brad Brad Ford).
I've decided that the only acceptable outcome here will be for Bradford to withdraw from the race and run in the next municipal election in Bradford. "Brad Bradford for Bradford." They're welcome to take him.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 3:45 PM on March 1, 2023
I've decided that the only acceptable outcome here will be for Bradford to withdraw from the race and run in the next municipal election in Bradford. "Brad Bradford for Bradford." They're welcome to take him.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 3:45 PM on March 1, 2023
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Gil Peñalosa, the runner-up in the last election, and a supremely qualified urbanist with liberal tendencies, has announced he'll run again. It's expected to be a rather vibrant election, with no conservative blessed child waiting in the wings to run. Smart liberals will (and have) pull in behind Peñalosa, and if we're lucky, we may see a mayor who doesn't suck before the summer begins.
posted by seanmpuckett at 8:54 AM on February 16, 2023 [12 favorites]