John Tory to remain Toronto mayor for this week’s budget debate

Toronto’s budget chief says John Tory, who recently announced his resignation as mayor after an affair with a former staff member, will stay in the position until after Wednesday’s city budget debate.

Coun. Gary Crawford says Tory has confirmed he will remain mayor through this week’s significant meeting about the proposed budget.

Tory announced his resignation plan Friday after confessing an “inappropriate relationship” with someone who used to work on his team.

READ MORE: Toronto Mayor John Tory resigns after affair with former staffer

As of Monday morning, the city confirmed Tory had not submitted a letter of resignation. His office also had not answered questions about the timing of his departure.

Experts believe Tory may delay officially stepping down in order to push through his budget, the first he prepared under new so-called strong mayor powers granted by the Ontario government.

The province has said the powers, including a veto over council changes to the budget, would not transfer to an interim or acting mayor.

READ MORE: Reaction to Toronto Mayor John Tory’s affair with staffer