John Tory has officially registered to run for a third term as Mayor of Toronto, a term that could make him the city's longest-serving chief magistrate if re-elected and serving for another four years.

Tory was one of the first candidates to submit his papers to the City Clerk on Monday morning, as the registration window officially opened for candidates for mayor, council member, or school board trustee ahead of the municipal elections on October 24.

Tory was first elected in 2014 and re-elected in 2018, defeating former chief planner Jennifer Keesmaat by a comfortable margin.

He announced in March that he would seek a third term. "I am pleased to submit my registration again so I can present myself to the people to provide strong and experienced leadership, to push the city forward, and to ensure that we can recover (from the COVID-19 pandemic) stronger than ever before.

So this is what I will try to do." Tory told reporters shortly after submitting his papers. "But in the meantime, I will remain the city’s mayor." "I have this responsibility, and I take it seriously and will continue to perform this duty. There will be plenty of time going forward to discuss the city’s future plans and talk about all the existing issues facing the city, of which there are many."

Auri is the only prominent candidate so far who has announced his intention to run for mayor, although others may certainly step forward from now until the nomination deadline on August 19.

If Tory is re-elected, he will have the chance to surpass Art Eggleton (1980 to 1991) as Toronto’s longest-serving mayor.

However, the former CEO was not interested in discussing legacy matters on Monday at City Hall or his upcoming campaign plans on this matter. "I have work to do, and it is work that I take seriously.

I have worked day and night on this work for years now, especially during the pandemic, and I will continue to do so because I bear the responsibility," he said. "I also look forward to engaging in a campaign because I want to present some ideas I have for the future, but at the same time, I am fully occupied with performing my job as the mayor."

All potential candidates for municipal office are prohibited from fundraising or spending on their campaigns until they officially submit their registration papers to the City Clerk.

So far, a number of current city council members have announced they will not seek re-election in October, including former Health Board Chair Joe Cressy and long-time city council member Kristyn Wong-Tam.

Prominent candidates registered officially so far: current TDSB trustee Chris Moise has registered as a candidate for city council in Ward 13.

He currently represents Kristyn Wong-Tam, who is leaving city politics to run in the upcoming local elections. Former journalist Siri Agrell, who served as Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Conservatives during their first term, has registered as a candidate in Ward 4.

He currently represents long-time city council member Gord Perks. Former TDSB trustee Usma Malik has registered as a candidate in Ward 10.

Joe Cressy, who resigned from his position as district councillor last month to take a job at Humber College, endorsed Malik.