Layton, a former city councillor, was considered Toronto progressives’ best hope for a left-leaning mayor after more than a dozen years of right-leaning rule.
The former city councillor, considered by many to be the progressive with the best shot of replacing John Tory, plans to announce Thursday he won’t contest the June 26 byelection, the Star has learned.
“I’m doing this based on what I’m feeling in my heart, and I think I can do no wrong when I am doing it for my family and for my community,” Layton said, citing the long hours and public duties of the mayor’s role that would keep him away from his daughters, who are five- and seven-years-old. Josh Matlow , a progressive without strong links to the NDP who fiercely criticized centre-right Tory on the Scarborough subway extension, encampment clearings and other issues, is also considering a run, as is Liberal Scarbough-Guildwood MPP Mitzie Hunter.
But he said Toronto is facing big challenges in the housing crisis, inequality, and climate change, and called the mayoral byelection “a big opportunity.” He urged Torontonians to “pay close attention and vote for a candidate who is genuinely committed to making life better for people.” In an interview Wednesday, Cressy said Layton would have made “a spectacular mayor,” but commended him for resisting the pressure to run.
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