Toronto Mayor John Tory to officially resign on Friday

Toronto Mayor John Tory has made his resignation official after days of controversy and a long, tumultuous day at city council that saw the approval of his 2023 budget.

Tory announced late Wednesday night he will step down on Friday at 5 p.m. after spending the next two days meeting with Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie and city staff to "ensure an orderly transition." He filed his letter with the city clerk shortly after the city budget was finalized.

You can read Tory's full resignation letter at the bottom of this story.

Tory's resignation follows the shocking admission late last week that he had an affair with a former member of his staff. In the days that followed, some of his allies on council and other political figures, such as Ontario Premier Doug Ford, urged him to stay on.

But in his letter to the city clerk, Tory expressed regret in much the same way he did when he announced he would step down last Friday. 

"I want to thank the people of Toronto for trusting me as mayor since 2014," he said in his regisnation letter.

"I continue to be deeply sorry and apologize unreservedly to the people of Toronto and to all those hurt by my actions without exception."

Tory said he plans to continue to be a "contributing citizen" but did not provide specifics, saying only that he will "never stop believing in Toronto and all of the residents who make it up."

Tory leaves after shepherding a final budget through council that includes the largest property tax increase in decades. 

Council adopted the 5.5 per cent property tax hike and the 1.5 per cent increase in the city building levy. Councillors also adopted the full $16.1-billion spending package, which included controversial increases to the police budget and service cuts to the TTC.

Tory stressed that the tax increase was a difficult choice, but was needed to help fund city services and to increase community safety.

"These are very, very challenging times for the budget and for the city," Tory said. "And I think for us to have come together and made as much progress as we have. … shows a government working at its best."

The day was a showcase of the conflict and scandal that embroiled city hall for days following the mayor's admission he had the affair with co-worker who subsequently left city hall. 

But in the end, council came together to approve a motion to amend the budget, splitting up $7 million to make last-minute changes. The motion, which passed 25-1, provides funding boosts to address homelessness, TTC safety and to boost the city's Rent Bank program.