John Tory endorses Ana Bailão ahead of Monday’s byelection: ‘Ana is a fighter’

Former Toronto mayor John Tory formally endorsed candidate Ana Bailão ahead of Monday’s byelection, saying the leader must be laser-focused on what’s best for the city.

Tory resigned as the city’s mayor on February 10 after admitting to a months-long affair with a former staffer that ended earlier in 2023.

The former mayor said stepping down was one of the hardest decisions of his political career and acknowledged that he’s been working with his family “in light of personal mistakes I made.”

“But I also did it because I care about this city. Because I believe there is no more important role than public service and that we should hold ourselves accountable to the standards we need to expect from our leaders,” Tory said in a statement on Wednesday.

“The Mayor of Toronto must be laser-focused on what’s best for the city. There cannot be distractions, doubt or division.”

Tory is familiar with Bailão, who represented Davenport on city council from 2010 until 2022. In 2017, Tory appointed Bailão as a non-statutory deputy mayor for Toronto and East York.

Tory has been out of the spotlight since stepping down, maintaining a low profile with some questioning whether the 69-year-old would endorse a candidate before the byelection.

“I believe there is one candidate in this race who is best equipped to do all that, not just some parts and not others. That candidate is the best choice to lead this city forward and to bring it together every day as I tried so hard to do,” Tory continued.

“Her name is Ana Bailão. Ana’s story is the story of Toronto. She is who we want to be. She came here as a young woman, working alongside her mother cleaning offices downtown. She knows what it’s like to struggle. She has pulled herself up and proven what she can do.”

RELATED: Ford endorses Saunders ahead of Toronto byelection: ‘He’d be the best mayor’

Bailão, 46, was a close political ally of Tory’s during her time in office, often voting in line with him.

“I am proud of the work that I have done with my community,” she said. “I have a track record of getting things through council.”

Toronto mayoral candidate Ana Bailão is photographed during an interview with The Canadian Press in Toronto on June 13, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston.

Tory’s endorsement of Bailão follows current Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie, who threw her support behind the former city councillor last week. McKelvie, who has replaced Tory on an interim basis, said Bailão is the only candidate capable of getting Toronto’s fair share from Doug Ford and Justin Trudeau.

Tory himself alluded to that, as well.

“Ana is a fighter – she has fought for housing, for families, for workers, for communities, and she will fight for everyone who comes to this city in search of hope and opportunity,” the former mayor said.

“Ana is a negotiator – she knows how to bring people together to get things done. She is by far the candidate best able to get a fair deal for this city because she’s the one Doug Ford and Justin Trudeau don’t want to fight with. They will work with Ana, and she will work with them.”

Bailão opted not to seek re-election as a city councillor in 2022 and took a job with a prominent Toronto developer as its head of affordable housing and public affairs. With Tory seeking a third term, Bailão planned to build affordable housing, then run for mayor “at the appropriate time,” she said.

Tory thanked his supporters, adding that he’s always been committed to doing what is right for the city and its residents.

“I was always honest with you when I fell short of that promise, which sometimes I did because I am human,” he said. “In this election, Ana Bailão is the right choice for mayor. She is the leader who can deliver on the promise of Toronto.”

Saunders, Chow Matlow react to Tory’s endorsement

Olivia Chow, the perceived frontrunner according to several polls, fired back at Tory’s endorsement, saying he and Doug Ford are but “two votes” and that they don’t get to decide who the next mayor of the city will be.

“Life is not affordable for a lot of people and the status quo is not working,” Chow said in a statement. “That is why my message of building a more affordable, caring and safe city is being welcomed by so many Torontonians.”

Ford endorsed former police chief Mark Saunders on Monday, saying he plans on voting for the former police chief as he would “be the best mayor.”

Saunders said he was not surprised to hear of Tory’s endorsement of Bailão.

“Bailão was Tory’s deputy. She was there every step of the way. So am I surprised by his endorsement? No. He is just fine with the status quo. I’m not,” Saunders said in a statement.

“Chow will raise property taxes by at least 25 per cent. She will defund the police. She will normalize encampments and decriminalize drugs. All Tory did today to try to tip the scales in Olivia’s favour, and what’s worse — he knows it.”

Josh Matlow, meanwhile, tweeted that Tory and Ford “don’t get to tell you who to vote for.”

“And I know they don’t want us to win. I need your support on June 26 to take a stand for Toronto and take back our city.”

The byelection is on Monday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Here’s how to vote.

With files from The Canadian Press