Toronto’s mayor-elect Olivia Chow will officially take office in mid-July, the city says.
In a statement Tuesday, the city said its clerk John D. Elvidge is expected to certify the official results of Monday’s mayoral byelection by June 28.
“At her request and subject to the certification of the official results, the Mayor-elect will take office on Wednesday, July 12, after making the Declaration of Office with the City Clerk,” the statement read.
The city said it would share more details about the Declaration ceremony once plans are confirmed.
Chow bested 101 other candidates vying for Toronto’s top job, and collected 269,372 or 37.17 per cent of the votes.
Chow will take over from Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie who stepped in to head the city after the sudden departure of former mayor John Tory.
Tory stepped down from the role in February after admitting to having had an inappropriate relationship with a former staff member.
The crowded field to replace Tory included several well-known names including Ana Bailao, Mark Saunders, Anthony Furey and Josh Matlow, who rounded out the top five on election night.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, 66-year-old Chow, a former NDP MP and a long-time city councillor, said she is going to meet with top city staff and the city manager for a briefing.
“But before that, I’m meeting with the deputy mayor to ensure it is a smooth transition, and to learn from her to hear about what’s facing the city from her perspective,” she said.
Chow said she’s also planning to meet with city councillors.
“I’m looking forward to the opportunity to see the councillors and meet with all the top staff,” she said. “And I want to start early because I feel there’s a lot that needs to be done.”
Chow said she also wants to work with her fellow mayoral candidates, and hear from businesses, labour groups, veterans groups, non profits and civil society.
“I want us to work together, so one of my first tasks is to listen and to learn and to look for ways we can work together to achieve our common goals,” she said.