If you’ve been scrolling through Toronto news feeds or catching up on the highly anticipated 2026 municipal election, you’ve almost certainly seen a familiar, highly searched question popping up: Who is John Tory’s girlfriend in 2026? It feels like just yesterday the entire city was collectively shocked when the three-term mayor suddenly resigned in early 2023 following a massive, unprecedented personal scandal. Because we all watched his buttoned-up, establishment image unravel seemingly overnight, it’s completely understandable why voters and the broader public are so invested in his personal life and quick to jump on any breaking developments.
But before you start digging through old tabloid articles or wondering if the former mayor has stepped out with a new leading lady, let’s set the record straight and separate the swirling internet chatter from the actual facts of his 2026 reality.
The Truth About the Rumors: Does He Have a Girlfriend?
Let’s get right to the point: As of early 2026, John Tory does not have a public girlfriend, and the ongoing chatter largely stems from his infamous 2023 scandal rather than a new relationship. It’s incredibly easy to see how these questions continue to gain traction. In the fast-paced world of political gossip, past scandals cast a very long shadow. Whenever Tory’s name trends online—especially with recent speculations about a potential political comeback—search queries about his “girlfriend” or “mistress” inevitably skyrocket. It’s totally normal to see his name in the headlines and wonder if you missed a major life update! However, the current curiosity about a girlfriend is simply the algorithm recirculating old news. Following his resignation, Tory has remained intensely private, focusing on his marriage of over 40 years to his wife, Barbara Hackett, and attempting to rebuild his family’s trust away from the unforgiving glare of the media.
The 2023 Scandal That Changed Toronto Politics
To understand why the internet is still so buzzing with curiosity about Tory’s romantic life, we have to look back at the absolute whirlwind that forever altered the landscape of Toronto City Hall. In February 2023, just months into his third term as mayor, Tory shocked the nation by admitting to an extramarital affair with a 31-year-old former staffer, Emily Hillstrom.
The revelation instantly broke the internet. Tory called the relationship a “serious error in judgment” that began during the COVID-19 pandemic, and he promptly resigned to take accountability. The situation sparked massive, city-wide debates about workplace power dynamics, consent, and political ethics. A later report by the city’s integrity commissioner confirmed that while the relationship was consensual, it violated the city’s code of conduct due to the significant power imbalance. Hillstrom, who had subsequently taken a position with Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE), faced intense, often cruel online scrutiny. Since the dust settled on the initial scandal, both parties have kept a remarkably low profile, proving that the unglamorous reality of a public scandal is far heavier than the initial headlines suggest.
Protecting His Family: The Massive 2026 Announcement
Another reason the public is so fiercely curious about Tory right now is the intense speculation that recently surrounded his potential return to politics. For months, rumors swirled that he was gearing up to run for his old job in the October 2026 municipal election against current Mayor Olivia Chow.
However, on March 3, 2026, Tory officially shut down the rumors with a highly publicized statement, and his reasoning was deeply personal. He explicitly cited the protection of his family as his primary motivation for staying off the ballot. “I feel I cannot put my family and the people I care about through the inevitable attacks on me and my personal life that we’ve started to see before I’ve even announced my intentions,” he wrote. His candor about the brutal, unforgiving nature of politics was a stark reminder that behind the polished debate performances and campaign promises, public figures often deal with heavy, real-world family struggles that dictate their career moves.
What’s Next for the Former Mayor?
So, if he isn’t busy prepping a mayoral campaign or navigating a high-profile romance, what is life like for John Tory in 2026?
Right now, the 71-year-old is actively redefining his legacy outside of the political arena. He is choosing to maintain his influence from the sidelines, leaning heavily into community work and philanthropic endeavors. He continues to serve with major organizations, including the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and the Scarborough Health Network. While he remains deeply invested in Toronto’s economic future—recently stating that the city is at a “pivotal moment” and must navigate complex cost-of-living concerns—he has officially surrendered the chaotic, intense pressure of the mayor’s seat to others.
The Bottom Line
While the internet loves to spin wild rumors and dig up past scandals, the reality of John Tory’s life in 2026 is far more grounded and focused on personal redemption. The rumors of a new, ongoing public romance are false, and Torontonians have plenty to observe as they watch the former mayor step boldly into a quieter, family-first chapter of his life while the city gears up for its next election.