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George Smitherman (9), mayorality (2), Queen's Park (10), Toronto City Council (8)The number two man in the McGuinty government declared his intention to become Toronto’s top dog.
Monday morning at Queen’s Park, George Smitherman officially joined the 2010 race to replace David Miller as Toronto’s mayor. In his statement to the media, the former provincial health minister said he’s the ideal candidate to lead the city through a difficult period.
“Toronto is in desperate need of strong leadership,” he said. “I have the experience, the energy, the passion and record of accomplishment to lead this city in a new direction with confidence.”
With the announcement, Smitherman leaves provincial politics after a successful run that saw the MPP from Toronto Centre become one of the premier’s most trusted lieutenants.
“I want to thank my friend and leader, Premier Dalton McGuinty for the opportunity to have been part of his government,” he said.
Smitherman’s announcement comes after months of speculation. This past July, he was front-and-centre in a media campaign to keep city streets clean during the five-week long civic workers strike.
In recent weeks, however, his image has suffered from the eHealth spending scandal. David Caplan resigned as minister of health after it was revealed that $1 billion worth of untendered contracts had been awarded to medical contractors.
If elected, Smitherman would become Toronto’s first-ever openly gay mayor.