Victoria Wells – Journalist

By Victoria Wells

David Miller’s announcement that he won’t be seeking a third term as mayor of Toronto came as a shock to two East York city councillors.

Councillor Janet Davis of ward 31 Beaches-East York and Councillor John Parker of ward 26 Don Valley West both expressed surprise at the mayor’s decision.

Councillor Case Ootes  of ward 29 Toronto-Danforth is away and was unavailable for comment.

“Everything had indicated that the mayor was looking forward to a fight [in 2010] and had no sign of backing out,” Parker said. “I was completely and totally surprised.”

Davis, who serves on the Executive Committee, said she was saddened by the mayor’s decision.

“I’m disappointed,” she said. “There are other challenges ahead that I know he would have tackled.”

Miller announced his decision at an emotional news conference on Friday, Sept. 25. In his speech, he said he felt he had accomplished what he had set out to as mayor of the city and wanted to spend more time with his wife and children.

Davis said she could relate to Miller’s desire to put his family first.

“I usually see my family for breakfast and on the weekend.  Most evenings I’m out,” she said. “People don’t realize the effect political life has on family. It takes an incredible toll.”

But not everyone believes the mayor’s decision is based on family commitments alone. Parker said he thinks there’s more to it than that.

“I don’t buy his publicly stated rationale that he just now stumbled upon the fact that he is the father of two children,” he said.  “I think that’s a bit of window dressing to try and conceal another reality – being the drastic loss of support, which I’m assuming translates into a loss of financial support.”

Parker said as the mayor’s approval ratings plummet following public outcry over tax increases and the summer strike, promised money sources needed to run a campaign may have been withdrawn. Because campaigns are so expensive, Parker said, that could have been a force behind the mayor’s decision.

Still, Parker said he was sympathetic to Miller, saying such a decision must have been difficult to make.

“He clearly loves his job,” Parker said. “He worked hard at it and he’s still working hard at it.”

With 14 months left in the mayor’s term, Davis said Miller has time to accomplish more. But she said when it ends, he will have left a legacy behind from his achievements in environmental programs, waste diversion and investment in the TTC.

“David Miller has brought tremendous intelligence and integrity to the office of mayor in the City of Toronto,” Davis said.  “It’s been an honour to serve with him.”

Originally published in The East Toronto Observer, October 2, 2009