John Tory thinks Toronto mayor job ‘appealing’

TORONTO – The vote is still 16 months away but there is already speculation about who may run in Toronto’s next mayoral election and one name generating a lot of buzz is former Ontario PC leader John Tory.

In an interview with Global News, the co-host of Global’s Focus Ontario said he has not ruled out a possible campaign for the mayorship.

“Never say never means you’re thinking about it and a number of people have encouraged me to think about it,” said Tory.

The Newstalk 1010 radio host took a stab at becoming mayor in 2003 but lost to David Miller. He also attempted to enter the 2010 race but later decided to bow out.

The 59-year-old says a successful mayoral campaign this time around may be in the cards.

“It’s an appealing job but I think it’s way too early for anybody, except the guy that’s already in the job to be thinking about running,” Tory said.

Current mayor Rob Ford has faced his fair share of controversies since assuming office and the latest allegation that he was recorded on video appearing to smoke crack cocaine has polarized both sides of city council.

Tory believes the endless debates at city hall, such as the everlasting discussion on the plastic bag fee, is yet another cause of frustration for citizens.

“The general dysfunction over there is a real problem and I think people expect more positive results, more action, more concrete accomplishments from the city government,” said Tory.

For now, Tory insists there’s a lot more government work to be done at city hall and talk of campaigning is the least of his worries.

“I’m not going to any meetings, I’m not conducting any polls, I’m thinking about it because people said that I should,” he said.