2018 Toronto mayoral election

For information about the election for city councillors, see 2018 Toronto municipal election.

2018 Toronto mayoral election

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| <- 2014 | October 22, 2018 | 2022 ->

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Turnout| 40.9% ( 13.8 pp)
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Candidate  | John Tory | Jennifer Keesmaat
Popular vote  | 479,659 | 178,193
Percentage  | 63.5% | 23.6%

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| Mayor of Toronto before election

John Tory

| Elected Mayor of Toronto

John Tory

|

The 2018 Toronto mayoral election was held on Monday, October 22, 2018, to elect the Mayor of the city of Toronto. Incumbent Mayor John Tory was re-elected for a second term, defeating former Chief City Planner Jennifer Keesmaat with 63.49% of the vote.[1][2] Tory won all of Toronto’s 25 wards.[3]

Registration for candidates for the office of Mayor officially opened on May 1, 2018, and closed on July 27, 2018, at 2 pm.[4] Incumbent John Tory has been Mayor of Toronto since being elected in 2014 and launched his bid for re-election on May 1, 2018.[5] Former city councillor Doug Ford declared his intent to run, but later withdrew to seek the leadership of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario. Former Chief City Planner Jennifer Keesmaat was speculated to be considering entering the race, and after initially indicating she would not run, she announced her candidacy on July 27, 2018, the last day to register as a candidate.[6]

## Candidates

[edit]

Official registration for mayoral candidates opened May 1, 2018, and closed on July 27.[7] At the close of nominations, 35 candidates have registered to run in the election.[8]

### Registered major candidates

[edit]

* John Tory is the incumbent Mayor of Toronto, first elected in 2014 after having lost to David Miller in 2003 and declining to run in 2010. Former CEO of Rogers Media and Rogers Cable, leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario from 2005–2009, local talk radio host, and former Canadian Football League commissioner.
* Jennifer Keesmaat was appointed Chief City Planner of Toronto by former Mayor Rob Ford in 2012, and was speculated to be considering entering politics when she left the position in 2017.[9] An urban planner and advocate for affordable housing, she initially declined to run for mayor[10] but announced her candidacy on July 27, 2018.[11]

### All candidates

[edit]

Full list of registered candidates

Candidate name  | Nomination date
Dobrosav Basaric | July 26, 2018
Chris Brosky | July 27, 2018
Drew Buckingham | July 27, 2018
Brian Buffey | July 27, 2018
Logan Choy | July 27, 2018
Daryl Christoff | July 27, 2018
Kevin Clarke | May 8, 2018
Sarah Climenhaga | May 1, 2018
Mike Gallay | May 1, 2018
Saron Gebresellassi | May 1, 2018
Faith Goldy | July 27, 2018
Brian Graff | May 1, 2018
Tofazzel Haque | May 7, 2018
Monowar Hossain | July 18, 2018
Christopher Humphrey | July 13, 2018
Chai Kalevar | July 26, 2018
Andrzej Kardys | July 27, 2018
Jennifer Keesmaat | July 27, 2018
Steven Lam | June 5, 2018
Kris Langenfeld | June 29, 2018
Jim McMillan | July 16, 2018
Gautam Nath | June 8, 2018
Michael Nicula | July 26, 2018
Thomas O'Neill | July 12, 2018
Joseph Osuju | July 20, 2018
Joseph Pampena | June 11, 2018
Josh Rachlis | July 27, 2018
D!ONNE Renée | July 27, 2018
Jim Ruel | July 10, 2018
James Sears | May 1, 2018
Knia Singh | June 21, 2018
John Tory | May 1, 2018
Jakob Vardy | July 6, 2018
Ion Gelu Vintila | July 25, 2018
Jack Weenen | July 3, 2018

### Formerly declared candidates

[edit]

* Doug Ford, former city councillor and runner-up in the 2014 mayoral election, announced his intention to challenge for the office a second time at a September 2017 event.[12] However, he announced in January 2018 that he would seek the leadership of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario and would not run in the mayoral election.[13]
* Blayne Lastman, son of former mayor Mel Lastman, declared on July 25 that he would enter the race,[14] but announced a day later that he would not run.[15]

### Declined candidates

[edit]

* Olivia Chow, placed third in the 2014 mayoral election and former MP for Trinity—Spadina.[16]
* Desmond Cole, advocacy journalist.[17][18]
* Mike Layton, city councillor for Ward 19 Trinity—Spadina (2010–present).[19][20]
* Sue-Ann Levy, on June 17, 2018, Levy appeared on The Rebel Media[21] and said that she was open to the possibility of a 2018 mayoral run.[22]
* Giorgio Mammoliti, former city councillor for Ward 7 York West (2000–2018), former MPP for Yorkview (1990–1995).[23]
* Richard Peddie, former president and CEO of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment.[19]

## Debates

[edit]

List of Debates

Date  | Hosted by  | Participants  | Moderator  | Ref
September 24, 2018  | ArtsVote Toronto  | Tory, Keesmaat, Gebresellassi, Climenhaga, Nath  |  | [24]
September 26, 2018  | University of Toronto Scarborough  | Keesmaat, Gebresellassi, Climenhaga  |  | [25]

## Opinion polls

[edit]

Polling firm  | Last date of polling  | Link  | Keesmaat | Tory | Other

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DART Insight and Communications  | October 12–15, 2018  | PDF | 27  | 62 |
Forum Research | October 10, 2018 | PDF | 29  | 56 | 15
Forum Research  | October 5, 2018 | PDF | 29  | 56 | 15
Mainstreet Research | September 25, 2018 | HTML | 31  | 64 |  Faith Goldy 2%
Sarah Climenhaga 1%
Saron Gebressellassi 1%
Other 1%
Forum Research  | September 24, 2018 | PDF[permanent dead link] | 28  | 56 | 16
Mainstreet Research  | September 16, 2018 | HTML | 26  | 62 |  Faith Goldy 6%
Other 6%
Mainstreet Research  | September 5, 2018 | HTML | 28  | 63 | 10
Probit Inc. | September 5, 2018 | Twitter | 31  | 64 |  Faith Goldy 3%
Other 2%
Forum Research  | August 27, 2018 | PDF | 35  | 65 |
Forum Research  | July 27, 2018 | PDF | 30  | 70 |

## Endorsements

[edit]

| Keesmaat | Tory

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City councillors  | Kristyn Wong-Tam
Mike Layton
Joe Cressy
Gord Perks
Joe Mihevc | [26]
[27]
[28]
[29]
[30] | Denzil Minnan-Wong
Jon Burnside
Christin Carmichael Greb
Frances Nunziata | [30]
Federal politicians  |  |  | Shaun Chen (Liberal, Scarborough North)
Ali Ehsassi (Liberal, Willowdale)
Michael Levitt (Liberal, York Centre)
James Maloney (Liberal, Etobicoke-Lakeshore)
John McKay (Liberal, Scarborough-Guildwood)
Marco Mendicino (Liberal, Eglinton-Lawrence)
Rob Oliphant (Liberal, Don Valley West)
Yasmin Ratansi (Liberal, Don Valley East)
Judy Sgro (Liberal, Humber River-Black Creek)
Geng Tan (Liberal, Don Valley North)
Borys Wrzesnewskyj (Liberal, Etobicoke Centre)
Jean Yip (Liberal, Scarborough-Agincourt)  | [31]
[31]
[32]
[33]
[31]
[34]
[31]
[35]
[36]
[31]
[31]
[31]
Provincial politicians  | Jessica Bell (NDP, University-Rosedale)
Suze Morrison (NDP, Toronto Centre)
Marit Stiles (NDP, Davenport)
Doly Begum (NDP, Scarborough Southwest)  | [37]
[37]
[37]
[37] | Mitzie Hunter (Liberal, Scarborough-Guildwood)  | [38]
Former politicians  | Olivia Chow (NDP MP)  | [39] | Jean Augustine (Liberal MP)
John Baird (Conservative MP & MPP)
John Carmichael (Conservative MP)
Alvin Curling (Liberal MPP)
C.S. Leung (Conservative MP)
Peter MacKay (Conservative MP)
Joe Oliver (Conservative MP)
Sandra Pupatello (Liberal MPP)  | [31]
[40]
[41]
[31]
[31]
[42]
[43]
[31]
Media  | Daily Xtra
Spacing Magazine | [44]
[45] | Toronto Sun

Toronto Star

| [46][47]
Other  | Richard Peddie (Former President and CEO MLSE)
Richard Underhill (Juno Award winning musician)
Toronto & York Region Labour Council
Elementary Teachers of Toronto

Guillermo "Gil" Penalosa (World Urban Parks Ambassador)

Tabatha Southey

Vision Zero Canada

Jean Yoon

Bruce Arthur (Toronto Star Sports Columnist)

Charles Spearin (Broken Social Scene)

Edward Keenan (Toronto Star Columnist)

Heather Mallick (Toronto Star Columnist)

| [48]
[49]
[50]
[51]

[52]

[53]

[54]

[55]

[56]

[57]

[58]

[59]

| Director X

Claire Emma Kirk

Peter MacKay

Jeanne Beker

Gary Slaight

Gordon Nixon

Sheetal Jaitly

| [60]

[61]

[30]

[62]

[63]

[64]

[65]

## Results

[edit]

Official results from the City of Toronto.[2]

Candidate  | Number of votes  | % of popular vote

|
|

John Tory (X) | 479,659 | 63.49
Jennifer Keesmaat | 178,193 | 23.59
Faith Goldy | 25,667 | 3.40
Saron Gebresellassi | 15,222 | 2.01
Steven Lam | 5,920 | 0.78
Sarah Climenhaga  | 4,765  | 0.63
Kevin Clarke | 3,853  | 0.51
Monowar Hossain  | 3,602  | 0.48
Logan Choy  | 3,518  | 0.47
Knia Singh  | 3,244  | 0.43
Dobrosav Basaric  | 2,882  | 0.38
Chris Brosky  | 2,782  | 0.37
Jim McMillan  | 2,422  | 0.32
Tofazzel Haque  | 2,307  | 0.31
Drew Buckingham  | 1,971  | 0.26
Mike Gallay  | 1,940  | 0.26
Daryl Christoff  | 1,751  | 0.23
Gautam Nath  | 1,474  | 0.20
Christopher Humphrey  | 1,428  | 0.19
Thomas O'Neill  | 1,325  | 0.18
D!ONNE Renée  | 1,280  | 0.17
Brian Buffey  | 1,275  | 0.17
Brian Graff  | 1,139  | 0.15
Michael Nicula  | 1,048  | 0.14
Andrzej Kardys  | 1,035  | 0.14
Joseph Pampena  | 773  | 0.10
Jakob Vardy  | 757  | 0.10
Kris Langenfeld  | 695  | 0.09
James Sears | 680  | 0.09
Chai Kalevar  | 615  | 0.08
Jack Weenen  | 607  | 0.08
Ion Gelu Vintila  | 565  | 0.07
Joseph Osuji  | 486  | 0.06
Josh Rachlis  | 337  | 0.04
Jim Ruel  | 276  | 0.04
Invalid/blank votes  |  | —
Total |  |
Registered voters/turnout  |  |

### Maps

[edit]

* Percentage of votes cast for Jennifer Keesmaat by ward

* Percentage of votes cast for Faith Goldy by ward

* Percentage of votes cast for Saron Gebresellassi by ward

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Toronto election 2018: Tory handily wins second term as mayor". Retrieved October 23, 2018.
2. ^ a b Watkiss, Uli (October 25, 2018). "2018 Clerks Official Declaration of Results" (PDF). toronto.ca. p. 1.
3. ^ "Toronto election 2018: Live results map - Macleans.ca". Macleans.ca. October 22, 2018. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
4. ^ Toronto, City of (July 14, 2017). "Elections". City of Toronto. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
5. ^ "Toronto Mayor John Tory talks 2018 election, transportation and policing in year-end interview". Global News.
6. ^ Westoll, Nick; Shum, David. "Jennifer Keesmaat, former Toronto chief planner, running for mayor". Global News.
7. ^ "2018 Election Key Dates". City of Toronto. August 22, 2017. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
8. ^ "List of Candidates by Ward: Candidates for Mayor". City of Toronto. July 14, 2017. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
9. ^ Pelley, Lauren (September 7, 2017). "Jennifer Keesmaat on 5 years as chief planner, being told to 'stick to the knitting,' and what comes next". CBC News. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
10. ^ Pagliaro, Jennifer (August 31, 2017). "Toronto's departing chief planner Keesmaat rules out politics in 2018". Toronto Star. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
11. ^ Rider, David; Pagliaro, Jennifer (July 27, 2018). "'We need bold ideas in this city.' Jennifer Keesmaat to run for mayor of Toronto". Toronto Star. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
12. ^ Rider, David (September 8, 2017). "Doug Ford will run for mayor in 2018 rematch". Toronto Star.
13. ^ Rider, David (February 1, 2018). "Doug Ford abandons plans for mayoral election rematch, puts 'pedal to the metal' in Ontario PC leadership race". Toronto Star. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
14. ^ Rocca, Ryan (July 25, 2018). "Blayne Lastman, son of former mayor Mel Lastman, to enter mayoral race". Global News. Retrieved July 30, 2018.
15. ^ Bañares, Ilya (July 26, 2018). "Blayne Lastman will not run against John Tory in Toronto mayoral race". Toronto Star. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
16. ^ Bañares, Ilya (April 16, 2018). "A beginner's guide to the 2018 Toronto mayoral election". The Innis Herald. Retrieved April 30, 2018.
17. ^ "Desmond Cole says he won't run for mayor in 2018". Newstalk 1010. April 29, 2018. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
18. ^ Rider, David (April 29, 2018). "Desmond Cole will not run to become Toronto mayor". Toronto Star. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
19. ^ a b Gray, Jeff (May 19, 2017). "Few early challengers emerge to take on Tory in Toronto's 2018 mayoral election". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
20. ^ Morris, Siobhan (January 17, 2018). "WATCH: Is Mike Layton running for mayor of Toronto?". Newstalk 1010. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
21. ^ As it was then known
22. ^ Rebel Media (June 17, 2018), Can "right-wing, gay, Jewish muckraker" fill void in Toronto politics? | Ezra Levant, retrieved June 17, 2018
23. ^ "PC MPP or mayor of Toronto? Mammoliti ponders leap". Toronto Sun, March 15, 2018.
24. ^ "Jennifer Keesmaat, John Tory square off at Toronto debate on the arts | CBC News". CBC. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
25. ^ "Mayoral candidates spar over transit affordability at Scarborough debate | The Star". thestar.com. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
26. ^ Kristyn Wong-Tam [@kristynwongtam] (July 31, 2018). "Great to see @jen_keesmaat putting Toronto first in her interview with @CP24. She's running because our city needs bold solutions not just more press conferences. She's going to deliver a better city that works for everyone. #KeesmaatforMayor" (Tweet). Retrieved July 31, 2018 - via Twitter.
27. ^ "Joint Statement From Jennifer Keesmaat & Mike Layton". Jennifer Keesmaat for Mayor of Toronto. Archived from the original on October 15, 2018. Retrieved October 15, 2018.
28. ^ Joe Cressy [@joe_cressy] (October 13, 2018). "Proud to support Jennifer Keesmaat and her vision for Toronto" (Tweet). Retrieved October 14, 2018 - via Twitter.
29. ^ "Joint Statement From Jennifer Keesmaat & Gord Perks". Jennifer Keesmaat for Mayor of Toronto. Archived from the original on October 16, 2018. Retrieved October 15, 2018.
30. ^ a b c "Which Toronto mayoral candidate is winning the endorsement battle? | CBC News". CBC. Retrieved October 20, 2018.
31. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Endorsements". JohnTory.ca. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
32. ^ John Tory [@JohnTory] (August 12, 2018). "Thank you @LevittMichael for your support!" (Tweet) - via Twitter.
33. ^ John Tory [@JohnTory] (August 2, 2018). "Thank you @j_maloney for your endorsement. Working with our federal partners to bring growth and investment to Toronto has been an important part of our success" (Tweet) - via Twitter.
34. ^ John Tory [@JohnTory] (August 8, 2018). "Thank you @marcomendicino for your support!" (Tweet) - via Twitter.
35. ^ John Tory [@JohnTory] (August 13, 2018). "Thank you @Yasmin_Ratansi for your support!" (Tweet) - via Twitter.
36. ^ John Tory [@JohnTory] (August 8, 2018). "Thank you @JudySgroMP for your support!" (Tweet) - via Twitter.
37. ^ a b c d "MPPs Endorse Jennifer Keesmaat For Mayor". jenniferkessmat.com. October 18, 2018. Archived from the original on October 19, 2018. Retrieved October 19, 2018.
38. ^ John Tory [@JohnTory] (August 8, 2018). "Thank you @MitzieHunter for your support!" (Tweet) - via Twitter.
39. ^ "Jennifer Keesmaat has Olivia Chow's vote".
40. ^ John Tory [@JohnTory] (August 8, 2018). "Thank you @Baird for your support!" (Tweet) - via Twitter.
41. ^ John Tory [@JohnTory] (August 13, 2018). "Thank you John Carmichael for your support!" (Tweet) - via Twitter.
42. ^ John Tory [@JohnTory] (August 13, 2018). "Thank you @PeterMacKay for your support!" (Tweet) - via Twitter.
43. ^ John Tory [@JohnTory] (August 8, 2018). "Thank you @JoeOliver1 for your support!" (Tweet) - via Twitter.
44. ^ Salerno, Rob (October 15, 2018). "Toronto needs an experienced mayor — and it's not John Tory". Daily Xtra. Retrieved October 19, 2018.
45. ^ Lorinc, John (October 16, 2018). "Keesmaat carefully considered". Spacing. Retrieved October 19, 2018.
46. ^ "John Tory is our choice for mayor". Toronto Sun. October 17, 2018. Retrieved October 19, 2018.
47. ^ "John Tory is the best choice for Toronto now | The Star". thestar.com. Retrieved October 20, 2018.
48. ^ Richard Peddie [@RichardAPeddie] (July 31, 2018). "Articulate. Bright. Positive. Energetic. She won't just do photo ops and repeat old press releases. She knows how to build a city that is sustainable, healthy and inclusive for everyone. For a better Toronto vote Jennifer Keesmaat for our 66th mayor" (Tweet). Retrieved July 31, 2018 - via Twitter.
49. ^ Richard Underhill [@RichUnderhill] (August 4, 2018). "There you have it #progressives #liberals and #Ndp The Sun likes John Tory. Do not vote for this Conservative. #KeesmaatforMayor is the best choice" (Tweet) - via Twitter.
50. ^ "Endorsements 2018" (PDF). Toronto & York Region Labour Council. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 30, 2018. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
51. ^ ETT [@ElemTeachersTO] (October 11, 2018). "We're honoured to have the incredible, profoundly inspiring @jen_keesmaat speak with us at Steward Training today! #ETT is so proud to endorse #keesmat4mayor - our city deserves an accomplished Mayor that matches our collective vision of equity and progress" (Tweet). Retrieved October 14, 2018 - via Twitter.
52. ^ "G_Penalosa on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved October 20, 2018.
53. ^ "Tabatha Open Supreme Court Seat on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved October 20, 2018.
54. ^ "#VisionZero Canada on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved October 20, 2018.
55. ^ "Jean Yoon on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved October 20, 2018.
56. ^ "Bruce Arthur on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved October 20, 2018.
57. ^ "Charles Spearin on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
58. ^ "Here's the mayor of Toronto that I want | The Star". thestar.com. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
59. ^ "Jennifer Keesmaat is Toronto's vote for modernity | The Star". thestar.com. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
60. ^ "John Tory on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved October 20, 2018.
61. ^ "John Tory on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved October 20, 2018.
62. ^ "John Tory on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved October 20, 2018.
63. ^ "John Tory on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved October 20, 2018.
64. ^ "John Tory on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved October 20, 2018.
65. ^ "John Tory on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved October 20, 2018.

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