Here’s Toronto Mayor John Tory’s full resignation statement

Toronto Mayor John Tory announced his resignation during a last-minute news conference at city hall Friday evening after confirming a Toronto Star report he “developed a relationship” with a former staff member in his office during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tory didn’t take any questions during his brief news conference.

Here is the full, unedited two-minute-and-35-second statement he gave to reporters:

“Good evening and thank you for coming,

I want to update Torontonians on a difficult personal matter.

During the pandemic, I developed a relationship with an employee in my office in a way that did not meet the standards to which I hold myself as mayor and as a family man.

The relationship ended by mutual consent earlier this year.

During the course of our relationship some time ago, the employee decided to pursue employment outside city hall and secured a job elsewhere.

I recognize that permitting this relationship to develop was a serious error in judgment on my part.

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It came at a time when Barb, my wife of 40-plus years, and I were enduring many lengthy periods apart while I carried out my responsibilities during the pandemic.

As a result, I’ve decided that I will step down as mayor so I can take the time to reflect on my mistakes and to do the work of rebuilding the trust of my family.

I will be working with the city manager, the city clerk and the deputy mayor, Jennifer McKelvie, to ensure an orderly transition in the coming days.

While I deeply regret having to step away from a job that I love in a city that I love even more, I believe in my heart it is best to fully commit myself to the work that is required to repair these most important relationships.

As well, I think it is important as I always have for the Office of the Mayor not to be in any way be tarnished and not to see the city government itself put through a prolonged period of controversy arising out of this error in judgement on my part, especially in light of the challenges we face as a city.

I am deeply sorry and apologize unreservedly to the people of Toronto and to all those hurt by my actions, including my staff, my colleagues on city council and the public service for whom I have such respect.

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Most of all, I apologize to my wife Barb and to my family whom I have let down more than anyone else.

I hope the privacy of all of those impacted by my actions can be respected and that includes me.

I think as you know that I am a naturally private person notwithstanding some of the jobs that I’ve had and I hope you’ll respect that and the privacy of everyone else as well, especially my wife and family.

I have made the integrity commissioner aware of the relationship and asked him to review it.

I want to thank the people of Toronto for trusting me as mayor. It has been the job of a lifetime and while I have let them and my family down in this instance, I have nonetheless been deeply honoured by the opportunity to serve the people of this wonderful city and I believe that I did some good for the city, that I did make a positive difference for the city that I truly love particularly during the pandemic.

I’m usually known for taking as many questions as you want to ask, but on this occasion I’ll let my statement speak for itself.

Thank you.”