Toronto councillor to collect $120,000 by quitting on eve of provincial byelection

Coun. Gary Crawford, budget chair under former mayor John Tory, would not get $120,000 in severance if he wins Scarborough Guildwood race.

Thestar.com
July 25, 2023
Alyshah Hasham

Coun. Gary Crawford (Ward 20 -- Scarborough Southwest) will resign his council seat on Wednesday, one day before a provincial byelection that could see him become the Progressive Conservative MPP for Scarborough-Guildwood.

The three-time budget chair under former mayor John Tory is hoping to occupy the seat previously held by Liberal MPP Mitzie Hunter who resigned to run for mayor of Toronto in the highly unusual mayoral byelection earlier this year.

“I am all-in to become our next MPP in Scarborough--Guildwood and continue to get it done for Scarborough,” Crawford said in a statement on Monday evening.

City clerk John Elvidge had already shared the news of his resignation with the mayor and councillors that morning.

“I am writing to advise that I have received the resignation of Councillor Gary Crawford from City Council effective at the end of day, Wednesday, July 26, 2023,” Elvidge wrote according to the email obtained by the Star.

As a result, Crawford will receive a year’s salary -- about $120,000 -- as severance.

If Crawford were to be elected MPP without resigning, he would not receive severance, according to city of Toronto policies.

A councillor who resigns, retires or is not re-elected receives 1/12 of their current salary per year served on council for up to 12 years for severance.

Crawford was first elected to council in 2010 -- putting him past the maximum mark and making him eligible for the full pay out if he were to retire from his seat. He was not required to resign in order to run in the byelection and, should he lose, could have returned to his council seat.

Other councillors who launched provincial runs have made use of the same perk whether they won or lost.

Council will have to decide whether to appoint an interim councillor to finish the remaining three-year term or call a byelection, according to Elvidge. While the office is vacant, a deputy city clerk will supervise the administrative operations of the Scarborough Southwest office.

The Ontario NDP lost no time in accusing Crawford of only resigning to receive “a windfall of just over $120,000 in taxpayer money as severance.” Their candidate in the Thursday byelection is Thadsha Navaneethan.

Liberal candidate Andrea Hazell was more gracious, with a touch of shade.

“I wish Mr. Crawford all the best as he leaves City Hall and I look forward to seeing what he does next in his retirement,” Hazell said via a spokesperson.