A byelection to replace John Tory as mayor, head of council and chief executive officer of Toronto is expected to be held in the coming weeks, after his abrupt resignation due to what he calls an ``inappropriate relationship'' with a former employee.
Tory offered few details about the affair during a hastily called news conference Friday evening, only saying it had developed during the COVID-19 and ended by mutual consent earlier this year.
The unnamed employee is now working at another job.
Tory told reporters he notified the Office of the Integrity Commissioner of the relationship and asked him to review it, saying he believes it is important to avoid tarnishing the Officer of the Mayor or putting City Hall through a prolonged period of controversy over what he describes as an error in judgment on his part.
He did not immediately name his replacement, saying he will be working with senior city staff and Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie to ensure an orderly transition.
Tory served two scandal-free terms as mayor of Toronto and had just been re-elected for a third.