Tory declares conflicts of interest in advance of officially becoming mayor

Tory released the statement on the afternoon of Friday, Nov. 28, fulfilling a promise he’d made during the campaign to comply with municipal conflict of interest laws and also the city’s own code of conduct.

"During the election campaign, I was clear with voters that if I was elected Mayor, I would follow all of the rules and act with the integrity, honesty and professionalism that the public rightly demands," said Tory in the statement.

Tory said that he didn’t trouble the city solicitor with questions about his legal status, but engaged the services of prominent lawyers George Rust-D’Eye, Clayton Ruby and Thomas Barlow and also consulted with the city’s Integrity Commissioner.

Tory identified conflicts in several areas.

Because his son John is the Chief Executive Officer of Private Air, Inc., a Thunder-Bay-based airline with a regional office at Billy Bishop Toronto City Centre Airport, Tory cannot vote on any matters with regard to the airport.

Next year, that means Tory will have to absent himself from a potentially major debate over whether to allow the airport to expand so as to accommodate jet aircraft.

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Tory must also take care to stay clear of discussions on matters that might impact Stratheden Homes Ltd, which designs and renovates residential property. His wife Barbara Hackett is the president of Stratheden, and Tory is a shareholder and director.

Tory said the company and the city have no matters in common, but should that change he would declare a conflict.

Tory also resigned from the boards of Metro Inc., and Rogers. But he said he would continue as a trustee and director of various Rogers family-related trusts and private boards, and is also on the Advisory Committee of the Rogers Control Trust.

"Before his death, I gave my word to Ted Rogers that I would act in this capacity so long as I was able, and out of a sense of moral obligation to my late friend, I do not intend to resign from these positions," he said.

"What I intend to do is declare an interest generally in any consideration by council or a local board of matters involving a Rogers-controlled company, whether or not I am required to do so under the Act."

Tory said he would also take under consideration advice given him by the Integrity Commissioner beyond what he’s done.

That includes creating a "screen" within his office to prevent Tory from having access to confidential information regarding areas in which he has conflicts, and for a year, anything to do with Rogers or Metro or other companies that he has left.

As well, Tory must take care not to use any city resources when carrying out work for his trusteeships or work for the family. And he must make it clear to those organizations that they should not use his name and office in promotional and fundraising materials.

As well, the Integrity Commissioner suggested that Tory’s wife meet with the Lobbyist registrar to ensure that none of her activities constitute lobbying.

The precautions and declarations come not only after Tory promised to do so, but following a lengthy court battle that former Mayor Rob Ford fought, to keep his job as mayor over his apparent violation of the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act.

Ford was accused of violating the Act when he spoke on his own behalf at council as they considered a vote to require him to pay back donations made to his football charity.