TORONTO - Ontario deputy premier George Smitherman has given his strongest signal yet that he's considering making a mayoral bid in Toronto, in a move that would cost the provincial government one of its key cabinet ministers.

Smitherman has previously denied rumours that he would run for mayor. But the openly gay politician now says he was mulling over his future during a recent canoe trip with his husband.

He decided he should "take a look and see whether other options that are available may be better suited for me and may contribute something for my city."

"There is a bit of a consensus forming in the city that the status quo is not getting the job done," Smitherman said Tuesday.

"I just thought it was important to publicly acknowledge that is something I'm thinking about."

The energy minister, who said he would have to resign his cabinet post to run, also said he's talked with former Progressive Conservative leader and possible contender John Tory about making sure only one of the two run, because he says, "it's counter-productive to have a race that doesn't have clear choices."

"He and I, we have good lines of communication, notwithstanding whatever little partisan brush-ups we may have had and we're going to remain in close contact," Smitherman said.

Tory said Tuesday he remained in contact with Smitherman but noted there was no actual deal in place -- and no candidates.

"We think it's important there be a clear choice because I think we do agree, both of us, that Toronto is in serious trouble in a number of fronts," said Tory, who mounted an unsuccessful bid against Mayor David Miller in 2003.

"The out-of-control taxing, the out of control spending, the question of value for money for taxpayers, decline of challenged neighbourhoods, transportation -- the list is as long as two arms."

This summer, the city was embroiled in a bitter 39-day civic strike that turned some against Miller and left them searching for alternatives.

While the provincial government stayed out of the dispute, Smitherman took to the streets, picking up trash with residents and carrying around a broom -- a symbol of Miller's first run for mayor.

He was even joined by Tory at one point, though at the time both men denied the garbage pick-up was related to a potential bid.

"I've said that I have no choice but to listen to the vast number of people who have spoken to me, ranging all the way from people very involved in politics to a greater number of average citizens, who as recently as today, come up to me wherever I am and urge me to run," Tory said Tuesday.

"I think you have to listen to that and I said I would and that's what I'm doing."

Smitherman's possible departure would mean the loss of an important minister, and would come after the resignation of former economic development minister Michael Bryant, who recently stepped down to become the CEO of Invest Toronto.

Bryant left that post after he was charged last week with criminal negligence causing death and dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death in a highly publicized incident that claimed the life of a bicycle courier.

Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Jim Watson, a former mayor of Ottawa, is also rumoured to be considering a run for his city's leadership, although he has yet to confirm such speculation.

"I've been asked by lots of people whether I'm going to run for mayor and the answer is always the same: I'm very happy where I am right now, and if that changes I'll let you know," said Watson.

Henry Jacek, a politics professor at Hamilton's McMaster University, said a move by Smitherman wouldn't be surprising, because "people like to be No.1."

"You can understand why after six years maybe Smitherman, not being the main person at Queen's Park, would like to be the main person at Toronto City Hall," he said, adding that doesn't mean he's unhappy with Premier Dalton McGuinty or his leadership.

"Good people are ambitious and they, sooner or later, themselves want to run their own organization -- you can say the same thing about Michael Bryant when he went to Invest Toronto."

While the possible departure of Smitherman and even Watson could be seen as a blow to the Liberals, Jacek said McGuinty has many talented -- albeit lesser-known -- backbenchers who could fill those posts.

McGuinty acknowledged Tuesday he'd heard the talk about possible mayoral bids, but didn't see it as anything more than speculation.

"I'm not aware of any intention, serious intention, on the part of any of my ministers to do anything other than to apply themselves wholeheartedly to their responsibilities as ministers," McGuinty said.

Smitherman said he expects to make a decision by early in the new year, and will remain focused on his current job as minister of energy.

The municipal election is still a year away, but serious candidates are expected to declare themselves around Jan. 1 because that's the day they can start raising funds.