The ‘polar opposite’ of Rob Ford wins Toronto election

Toronto’s next mayor will be a straight-laced, button- down moderate conservative — almost the polar opposite of current mayor Rob Ford, whose term was plagued by scandals involving public drinking and illegal drug use.

John Tory won Monday’s election with 40% of the vote, compared to 33% for Doug Ford, brother of the outgoing mayor. Left-leaning Olivia Chow was third with nearly 23%.

“Torontonians want to see an end to the division that has paralysed city hall for the past four years, and to all that I say: ‘Toronto, I hear you. I hear you loud and clear,’ ” Tory told cheering supporters, vowing to restore Toronto’s reputation on the international stage.

Rob Ford’s four-year tenure as mayor of Canada’s largest city was marred by his drinking and crack cocaine use. He announced last month that he would not seek re-election as he battles a rare form of cancer. His brother, a city councillor, ran in his place.

“Hallelujah!” Ontario prime minister Kathleen Wynne said upon learning of the election results while on a trade mission in China.

Doug Ford’s supporters booed when he congratulated Tory on his victory. Doug Ford later said the scandals played a part in the loss but that he was “super proud” of his brother.

“I still believe he’s the best mayor ever,” Doug Ford said.

However, Rob Ford will not disappear from Toronto politics anytime soon.

Despite suffering from cancer, Ford opted to seek the city council seat held by his brother from the Etobicoke district in western Toronto where he launched his political career.

He won his old seat in a landslide on Monday and said he will run for mayor again in four years.