Mayor-elect John Tory is vowing to bring an end to the division that has “paralyzed city hall” and get to work on building “Toronto the great” while a defiant Mayor Ford is hinting at a mayoral run in 2018 to reclaim his job.

Tory was elected with 40.27 per cent of the vote on Monday, finishing with about 64,000 more votes than second place finisher Doug Ford and about 168,000 more than Olivia Chow.

The early voter turnout number of about 61 per cent is the highest since amalgamation in 1998.

“Tonight is not a victory for any one person. It is a victory for Toronto and all of us who love this city and care about its future,” Tory said as he addressed his supporters at the Liberty Grand. “Tonight voters have sent a message that is abundantly clear. Voters want their elected officials to get down to work on the priorities that matter most to them — better transit, more jobs and an end to the gridlock that is choking our streets.”

Tory ran a campaign centered around an ambitious 53 kilometre light rail transit network called ‘SmartTrack,’ while Doug Ford tied his fortunes to a plan to build 32 kilometres in new underground transit.

Tory, however, told supporters on Monday that the election was ultimately about more than just public transit or gridlock, hinting that the result could be seen as an indictment on the divisive environment fostered by the Ford brothers at city hall.

“Torontonians want a future where their mayor proudly represents the whole city, one Toronto, a leader who regards you not just as a taxpayer but as citizens too,” Tory said. “As your new mayor I will work with the council that you elected tonight in moving Toronto not left, not right but forward.”

Ford hints at mayoral run

While Doug Ford congratulated Tory on his victory on Monday night, noting that the “people have made their decision,” Mayor Rob Ford, who was easily elected as a councillor in Ward 2, Etobicoke North, seemed to suggest that he’ll be looking to topple the former businessman and telecommunications executive when Torontonians next head to the polls in 2018.

Ford, of course, had to pull out of the mayoral race in September after he was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer, causing the elder Ford to throw his hat into the ring.

“If you know anything about the Ford family it's that we never ever give up and I guarantee you in four years you will see another example,” Ford said. “Action speaks louder than words. Just watch in four more years folks.”

Ford, who will return to the hospital for another round of tests on Wednesday, added that his brother did a “phenomenal job” despite only registering six weeks before election day.

“He was sort of thrown to the wolves,” Ford said.

For his part Doug Ford said that he and his team can hold their heads high about the campaign they ran.

“We felt we had the momentum but you deal with the cards you are dealt and it is what it is,” he told CTV News. “I’m here to serve the people still and I’ll do anything that the city needs me to do.”

Meanwhile, in Olivia Chow’s camp the former NDP Member of Parliament sounded an optimistic tone as she reflected on her campaign.

“I am going to keep fighting for the causes that matter and I am going to keep asking what can we do with each other for each other? Friends, I believe that love is better than hate, that hope is better than fear and I think you do too,” Chow said, evoking the words of her late husband Jack Layton.

Only one incumbent defeated

Toronto elected a new mayor in Tory on Monday night, but the council that will be sworn in this December will not be entirely different than the one that served under Ford.

In fact despite predictions that several city councillors could be unseated only one —Ward 26, Don Valley West Coun. John Parker — actually was.

Parker, who had represented the ward for two terms, was comfortably defeated by businessman John Burnside.

Other councillors that were said to be in danger, including Ward 7 councillor Giorgio Mammoliti and Ward 18 Coun. Ana Bailão, secured narrow victories.

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