TORONTO – Mayor-elect John Tory said Friday he will declare a conflict of interest in the upcoming debate about the expansion of Billy Bishop Airport.
The issue first arose during the election campaign when it was revealed Tory’s eldest son John worked as the CEO of Private Air Inc., an airline with an office at Billy Bishop Airport.
Tory said in a statement released Friday afternoon that as long as his son works for the company, he will declare a conflict of interest.
“Consistent with the Act, a child’s financial interest is also the financial interest of the elected official,” he said. “I cannot in good conscience interfere with my son’s ability to earn an income and support his family because of my decision to seek public office.”
Tory sought advice on the issue from outside counsel including high-profile lawyers George Rust-D’Eye, Clayton Ruby and Thomas Barlow. He also intends to declare an interest regarding his wife’s company Stratheden Homes Ltd. and his long-time involvement in Rogers.
In the same statement, Tory said he will resign from the Rogers board of directors.
“I said during the election campaign that I would resign from the Board of Directors of Rogers Communications Inc. because, in my view, one cannot hold the position of Mayor and also devote the appropriate time required to be a director of a public company,” he said noting he would also resign from the board of Metro Inc.
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