John Howard Tory, OOnt KC, (born May 28, 1954) is a Canadian broadcaster, businessman, and former politician who served as the 65^th mayor of Toronto from 2014 to 2023. John first spoke to the Whiff in March 26, 2014: Who does Toronto need in the Mayor’s office next fall?

He attended the University of Toronto Schools and received his BA in political science from Trinity College at the University of Toronto in 1975. He received his Bachelor of Laws in 1978 from Osgoode Hall Law School of York University and was called to the bar in Ontario in 1980.

After a career as a lawyer, political strategist and businessman, Tory ran as a mayoral candidate in the 2003 Toronto municipal election and lost to David Miller. Tory was subsequently elected as Ontario Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario leader from 2004 to 2009, and was a member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario representing Dufferin—Peel—Wellington—Grey and serving as the leader of the Opposition in Ontario from 2005 to 2007. After his resignation as PC leader in 2009, Tory became a radio talk show host on CFRB. Despite widespread speculation, Tory did not run for mayor again in 2010. He was also the volunteer chair of the non-profit group CivicAction from 2010 to 2014. In 2012, Tory was made a member of the Order of Ontario in recognition for being “a consummate champion for the Greater Toronto Region as a founding member and chair of CivicAction and chairs and volunteers on countless fundraising campaigns“.

On October 27, 2014, Tory was elected mayor of Toronto, defeating incumbent mayor Rob Ford’s brother, councillor Doug Ford and former councillor and member of Parliament (MP) Olivia Chow. On October 22, 2018, he was re-elected mayor of Toronto in the 2018 mayoral election, defeating former chief city planner Jennifer Keesmaat. He was elected to a third term as mayor on October 24, 2022, after defeating urbanist Gil Penalosa. He resigned as Mayor on Feb 17, 2023.

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Join fellow Whiffers on Tuesday, Sep 24^th to hear John give us his opinion on the state of affairs in Toronto and the province.
The reception at the RCYC begins at 6:00 pm.

The Whiff is again privileged to hear from the eminent criminal lawyer, James Lockyer. He first spoke to us in April 2010 about “Wrongful Convictions in Canada“ and updated us again at the February 2022 Whiff@Home meeting on “Miscarriages of Justice in Canada“. As our April speaker, he will help us understand the current failings of the Canadian Bail Process, what has been done to try to fix it and discuss what he believes is necessary to protect the innocent and maintain the public’s confidence in the administration of justice. Continue reading James Lockyer C.M., “Is Canada’s Bail System Broken?” April 30, 2024 →

Phillip Crawley was born in Northumberland, England and graduated in English Language and Literature from  Manchester University. He has held a variety of senior executive positions with some of the world’s leading media companies in Europe, Asia and New Zealand. Before arriving in Canada in 1998, he was the Managing Director of The New Zealand Herald newspaper owned by Tony O’Reilly’s Independent Newspapers Group of Dublin. From 1988 to 1997 he worked for Rupert Murdoch, first as Editor of The South China Morning Post in Hong Kong (1988-1993) then as Managing Director of The Times Supplements in London (1993-1997). He worked for Conrad Black as Northern Editor, The Daily Telegraph, London in 1987-88. From 1979 to 1987 he was Editor of The Journal, Newcastle upon Tyne. Prior to 1979, Crawley worked in various editorial roles for Thomson Regional Newspapers. Continue reading Phillip Crawley, Retired Publisher Globe and Mail, ‘Changing Times in the Media Business: Winners and Losers’, March 26, 2024 →

Jon last spoke to the Whiff at the January 2021 Whiff@Home meeting, when he talked about Values vs. Interests in Canadian foreign policy. Now, as a Whiff member, we are fortunate to have him share his deep insight of the issues behind the past and current relationships between Israelis and Palestinians at the institutional, professional, and grassroots levels. As the Chair of Project Rozana Canada, a not-for profit that has been building bridges between Palestinians and Israelis for over a decade, primarily via the health sector, Jon is eminently qualified to elucidate us on this humanitarian crisis. Continue reading Jon Allen, Israel-Palestine: Oct. 7: How Did It Happen and Where Do We Go from Here? February 27, 2024 →

Terry was back for his 4th talk at the Whiff!  (Nov 2019, Nov 2015 & Mar 2009) He introduced his latest novel  … A New Season A novel unlike any of his other 8, it’s a thoughtful exploration of aging, loss, family, friendship, and love, all with Terry’s trademark humour and heart. “Terry Fallis writes just about the tidiest romantic comedic novels you can find on earth, let alone in Canada.” The Globe and Mail Continue reading Terry Fallis, Beloved and Bestselling Author, January 30, 2024 →

Bob’s presentation was about the sinking of Monterey, a Farr 56, about 200 miles south of Bermuda, during the 2017 Antigua Bermuda Race and the safety lessons learned. Continue reading Bob Medland, “May 17, 2017 – A Night to Remember”, November 28, 2023 →

Author of John Turner: An Intimate Biography of Canada’s 17th Prime Minister “One of the most glamorous and successful politicians in Canadian history” In this masterful and engaging biography, acclaimed journalist Steve Paikin brings to life John Turner (1929-2020), one of the most glamorous and successful politicians in Canadian history. Born in England and raised in B.C., Turner was a champion sprinter – setting the Canadian record in the 100-yard dash when he ran 9.8 seconds at a meet in 1947 – and a Rhodes Scholar who captured the national imagination as an escort for Princess Margaret on her 1959 Canadian tour. Continue reading Steve Paikin, October 31, 2023, Author of John Turner: An Intimate Biography of Canada’s 17th Prime Minister →

Iain Dobson is an internationally recognized expert on city development, urban mobility and transit systems. He advocates for fact-based planning decisions. He currently publishes a bi-monthly report on how many office employees are back in the office. His talk will examine the lasting effects of the COVID pandemic, the new debate about work-from-home and the financial impact it is having on city centres. Since 2000, when Iain retired from a successful 25-year career in commercial real estate development, he has focused on bringing the principles of evidence-based value planning in the private and public sectors to development and investment decisions. He co-founded the Strategic Regional Research Alliance, a research body which partners with all levels of government and the private sector to provide a better understanding of the components and complexities of making informed infrastructure investment decisions. He also co-founded The Value Planning Group and the Real Estate Search Corporation, which satisfies the ever-growing need for comprehensive, reliable, accurate independently collected data. Continue reading Iain Dobson, The Impact of Remote Work on Cities, September 26, 2023 →