Tory running for mayor?
Toronto taxpayers are sick of paying more and getting less, and are looking for a leader who presents a clearly thought-out vision for the city’s economy, finances and infrastructure, says John Tory, who is mulling a run for mayor.
Mr. Tory, who stood for the job once before and stepped aside as leader of Ontario’s Progressive Conservative party in March, said yesterday he is still weighing his future and whether it even includes politics.
But he said yesterday a “draft Tory” movement has reached out to him about the possibility of presenting a fiscally conservative alternative to left-leaning Mayor David Miller in 2010.
“This discussion arose out of people approaching me as opposed to me going out and proactively meeting with or talking to anybody about this,” the 55-year-old said, emphasizing he has not made up his mind. “I’ve been approached by everyone from provincial politicians, to municipal councillors to, in some respects more importantly, lots of average citizens as I sort of walk down the street or go about my business. They expressed interest in this so certainly when people came in a more formal way to put the idea forward I had to at least listen to what they were saying.”
Despite his bruising foray into provincial politics, Mr. Tory remains a respected political name with a public profile as a fiscal conservative with a social conscience. In an interview, he was explicitly critical of the Miller years at city hall.
“I just think there hasn’t been enough done to be able to assure taxpayers that they’re getting good value for their money. I just don’t think it’s been a hallmark of the last number of years at all. Not only has it not been a hallmark, I think it’s been an afterthought, if that,” he said yesterday. “And I think people just can’t afford it any more. They can’t afford to go on paying more and getting less. It’s just not an equation that people are prepared to put up with in any other area of their life and why should they be when it comes to municipal government?”
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Jack Says:
I don’t have a problem with this. Toronto needs a good administrator — not Layton light. We’ll see how it goes.
Posted on June 27th, 2009 at 4:26 pm
UV Says:
Didnt he try this once before and lost? However, I wish him well if he does as it would be good for Toronto to have a conservative Mayor, once again, as long as he doesnt bring up ‘faith school funding’ for Toronto schools during his campaign.
Posted on June 27th, 2009 at 5:46 pm
Cynapse Says:
He did try and failed. However, Toronto is a different city now. Whoever vows to stick it to the unions will get a lot of votes in the city and Tory may be the man. I know a few well-to-do people who are willing to jump into advisory roles if Tory is game for it.
Posted on June 27th, 2009 at 5:53 pm
Mac Says:
Tory has quite a track record of failure. After one kick at the can in Toronto, I can’t imagine why he would want to embarrass himself again.
Cynapse, are you serious? If such is truly the case, perhaps Toronto has turned a corner…
Posted on June 27th, 2009 at 6:54 pm
Jack Says:
I understand why people have doubts about Tory but I will say this. There is a world of difference between leading a province and leading a city.
“Cities — towns” do not need earth shaking “changers”. What they do need are good administrators and John Tory is just such a man. My view is that because of his success in private business he may be just the man Toronto needs.
He doesn’t want to to change the world. He wants to change a city and I think he can do that.
Posted on June 27th, 2009 at 7:11 pm
UV Says:
I agree Jack as my personal feelings are that he’s one of the good guys but a politician hes not. All that being said, hope this time around, hes successful in becoming Toronto’s mayor and surrounds himself with good campaign workers unlike the last time.
Posted on June 27th, 2009 at 8:13 pm
Jack Says:
We’ll see how it goes UV. I’m on your side this time.
Posted on June 27th, 2009 at 8:16 pm
Joanne (T.B.) Says:
I actually think Tory would do well in Toronto, as opposed to the Province of Ontario.
We’re taking about a city whose right side is just where John Tory is at. And as Cynapse says, folks there are waking up to the reality of what a far-left mayor will do to you.
I think this could be John Tory’s finest moment.
Posted on June 27th, 2009 at 10:16 pm
nomdeblog Says:
Jack “My view is that because of his success in private business…”
Do we know that for sure? Just because JT keeps telling us that doesn’t make it so.
I would have supported JT if he had the political instincts to step down as PC leader after foolishly losing his own seat in 2007. Then he could have mobilized support for a rerun as mayor.
But now he is damaged goods.
We cannot afford to run the risk of not giving it our best shot to remove Miller. Therefore why would we crown Tory like the Liberals crowned Iggy?
Let’s have a contest. We need someone who has the hide of a rhino to take on CUPE, Ontario’s number 1 problem ( number 2 is shipping billions of $$$ to Quebec under equalization) .
Surely there are competent Michael Bloomberg types in Toronto who would like to give back to their city and throw their hat into the ring. Let’s encourage competition on this and not capitulate to damaged goods ..we deserve better.
Hudak will be Premier someday. That combined with a Bloomberg-type as Mayor of Toronto can turn this province around. Let’s insist on an Ontario/Toronto not run by CUPE and let’s keep our tax revenues in Ontario to fund infrastructure and for integrating massive immigration.
Posted on June 28th, 2009 at 8:37 am
Jack Says:
“But now he is damaged goods.”
So is Miller and regarding a contest. Just how do we do that on a municipal basis?
I haven’t figured it out but I’m all ears.
Posted on June 28th, 2009 at 5:41 pm
Cynapse Says:
Hudak probably won’t be popular in Toronto, so our Miller-defeating mayor should probably steer clear of that association. My only apprehension about John Tory is that he’s never shown willingness to go for the jugular. Even “nice” businessmen must be able to turn on the heat every now and then and whoever takes on Miller really needs to nail him on the taxation + capitulation to unions + waste of city funds + bad contracts.
Posted on June 28th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
Mac Says:
Good point, Cynapse. Tory could have taken the last provincial election if he had, as you put it, the willingness to go for the jugular. McGuinty supplied ample material but Tory didn’t capitalize on any of it… he never even tried… It’s more than wanting to avoid going “negative” but being willing to ask the hard questions, point out a few unpleasant truths and let the other guy squirm about the answers. If Tory is going to win the election for mayor, he’s going to have to find the gumption to put Miller on the spot.
Posted on June 28th, 2009 at 7:40 pm