Toronto’s challenges in 2015: John Tory must make nice with left-wingers and make good on transit

New mayor will have his work cut out for him: making good on transit promises, outsourcing garbage collection, curbing the police budget and placating left-wing councillors.

Mayor John Tory to hold family skate on New Year’s Day

Toronto’s new mayor is modifying the traditional meet-and-greet levee which has been a Toronto tradition since 1968.

Toronto paid 110 employees more than $20,000 in overtime in 2013

A total of $30.7 million in overtime was paid to nearly 12,000 workers in 2013, pushing many over the $100,000 salary threshold.

Deputy Mayor Glenn De Baeremaeker wants to change Scarborough subway plan

Mayor John Tory’s appointed ‘champion’ of the extension intends to release a letter asking for a fourth stop to be added at Danforth and Eglinton.

Mayor John Tory meets roadblocks, looks for new solutions in first month on the job

Vowing to get started on contracting out garbage east of Yonge St. may not be as simple as the mayor originally thought.

Poll: John Tory's honeymoon approval rating a sparkling 74%

Tory’s rating was in the mid- to high-60s for most of the election campaign, but it fell sharply, to the low 50s, late in the race.

Critics challenge John Tory's views on Waterfront Toronto

A day after Waterfront Toronto officials explained a $35 million budget overrun on its Queens Quay project, Mayor John Tory still wary.

Gardiner Expressway construction will end early

Mayor John Tory says closed lanes on Gardiner Expressway will re-open two months ahead of schedule.

Waterfront meeting braced for fireworks, but Minnan-Wong kept his cool: Keenan

Revitalization agency Waterfront Toronto was at pains Wednesday to counter the councillor's criticisms. But Denzil Minnan-Wong was the bomb that didn’t go off.

Rob Ford’s tumour has shrunk, brother says

Rob Ford is ecstatic after doctors told his tumour has shrunk, his brother Doug says. “It’s the first positive news we’ve received.”

Rob Ford's tumour has shrunk, brother says

Rob Ford is ecstatic after doctors told his tumour has shrunk but the ex-mayor is not out of the woods yet, his brother Doug says.

Another day, another delay on carding: James

Public frustration with police is mounting over failure to adopt the proposed compromise, or drop the practice entirely, writes Royson James.

Councillor Giorgio Mammoliti pleads guilty to election overspending

After a special prosecutor was assigned the case, Councillor Giorgio Mammoliti will be forced to repay more than the $12,000.

Toronto community grants not targeting the most challenged areas

Toronto spends more than $40 million per year on community grants, but funds not targeted to reach the city’s most challenged areas

John Tory hails ‘productive’ SmartTrack meeting with prime minister

Stephen Harper waited only days to meet with new Mayor John Tory, while ignoring invitations from Premier Kathleen Wynne.

Was secret Waterfront Toronto budget meeting legal?

The organization says it followed the rules in voting on a $35 million-plus budget estimate increase behind closed doors.

Queens Quay revitalization $35 million over budget

Waterfront Toronto says it could not disclose the almost 40 per cent cost overrun until agreements with contractors were finalized.

Rob Ford for mayor in 2018? Councillor ‘plotting’ return

Rob Ford says if his health holds he will run for the mayor's seat in 2018

Councillor calls fare inspectors carrying batons, handcuffs ‘disturbing’

Since August, TTC fare inspectors have carried batons and handcuffs, but they are classified separately from special constables.

Councillor calls fare inspectors carrying batons, handcuffs ‘disturbing’

Since August, TTC fare inspectors have carried batons and handcuffs, but they are classified separately from special constables.

Rob Ford for mayor in 2018? Councillor "plotting" return

Rob Ford says if his health holds he will run for the mayor's seat in 2018

Executive committee approves 'accelerated' work plan for SmartTrack

Mayor John Tory passed his first hurdle on SmartTrack at the first meeting of executive committee, with consultations and reports now in the works for January.

Vehicle Wraps Cambridge

Trade Show Displays Cambridge

In need of a local sign company to make promotional vid […]

Toronto sees loss of $29.6 million in declining traffic tickets

The city has yet to receive an explanation for a decline in tickets handed out by police between 2012 and 2014. This year’s loss totals a projected $29.6 million.

Toronto police want board chair to quit over Facebook post

Union professes outrage over a Facebook meme about U.S. police killings that Mukherjee says he posted ‘to encourage conversation and reflection.’

Toronto police want board chair to quit over ‘terrorist’ Facebook post

Alok Mukherjee accused of “unethical” and “unprofessional” behaviour by police association.

Toronto and Mississauga mayors want dangerous goods off their cities’ rail lines

John Tory and Bonnie Crombie are also demanding greater transparency from the railway industry.

Toronto Mayor John Tory wants more transparency from rail companies

Tory says he ultimately wants to see rail companies barred from transporting hazardous goods through the city.

New sheriff in town has picked sides: James

John Tory established his team with a resounding vote at council's first meeting. But adding a few lefties to the executive committee would have brought goodwill and cost nothing.

TTC board debates could be decided by citizen reps, not councillors

Four non-politician members could become the swing votes in transit debates. Meanwhile, two councillors behind the firing of former TTC chief Gary Webster have been returned to the board.

Rob Ford’s effect on Toronto councillor spending

How did Rob Ford affect councillor spending? See the effect of his term as Toronto mayor on council’s office budgets in this data visualization

Meet Toronto’s new city councillors

With diverse past experience among them, these seven councillors have at least one thing in common: they're rookies at city hall.

Strike up the bland — the John Tory era begins: James

New mayor provides comfort, not combativeness with safe, optimistic words on Tuesday.

Mayor John Tory outlines transit priorities, wants to mend city hall

Mayor John Tory addressed the 44 members of council and their families at the first meeting of council for the 2014-2018 term.

Anti-violence advocate Louise Russo will be Mayor John Tory's special guest at inaugural council

After hockey broadcaster Don Cherry shocked some by declaring war on "left wing pinkos" in 2010, Mayor John Tory's special guest expected to speak on his message of unity

Mayor John Tory's staff mix of political veterans

Many on the Toronto mayor's 16-member staff have experience working in provincial and federal politics, both Liberal and Conservative.

Toronto council to be sworn in

A look at who's in and who's out in Mayor John Tory’s Toronto

The new mayor's choices have already ruffled some feathers with left-leaning councillors seemingly left out.

For John Tory, united the city will take more than photo-ops

Some of his early actions — from the choice of committee chairs to taking his cues from police brass rather than the police board — have skeptics on high alert.

John Tory appointments put an end to the idea of unity: Keenan

Toronto’s new mayor has announced a team that reads like a declaration of war against city council's downtown progressives.

Tory’s SmartTrack already part of Ontario rail plans, Wynne says

New Toronto mayor and premier talk transit and housing. No decisions, but lots of promises to co-operate.

What's on John Tory's desk

An interactive look at Tory's desk on the 15th floor of the west tower at Toronto City Hall

Mayor-elect John Tory unveils his new team

Left-leaning voices largely shut out as Mayor-elect John Tory unveils his new administration.

New Mississauga dog law in effect Monday

The regulations seek to minimize the neglect of dogs in winter, but critics say more needs to be done to protect animals.

John Tory declares conflict of interest on Billy Bishop, Rogers

Soon-to-be-mayor John Tory says he won't take part in discussion over island airport expansion or Rogers-controlled companies.

Tory’s police board plan gets mixed reaction, but union cautiously optimistic

Mayor-elect John Tory’s decision to sit on the Toronto Police Services Board is getting a mixed reception inside and out of city hall

Tory’s police board plan under fire

Councillor and police board member Mike Del Grande says planned shakeup will send the wrong message.

Mayor-elect John Tory will sit on police services board

John Tory will take a seat on the high-profile Toronto Police Services Board but has not asked councillors Michael Thompson or Frances Nunziata back.

Mayor-elect John Tory wants to restore service on 41 bus routes

Tory, delivering his ‘state-of-the-city’ address early, wouldn’t say if fares would rise to cover a boost in night and off-hours runs cut under Rob Ford.

Toronto residents want Uber to stay: poll

‘The genie’s out of the bottle,’ says Forum Research; two-thirds surveyed approve of the app-based taxi service, which the city wants to ban.

Ghomeshi’s spectacular fall from grace: DiManno

Canadian media superstar, first jobless, now charged with serious offences.

Doug Ford to say if he'll seek Ontario PC leadership

The runner-up to mayor-elect John Tory in last month’s Toronto election has said “the stars are aligning” for a bid