John Tory officially launches mayoral campaign

John Tory officially launched his bid to be Torontos next mayor Wednesday evening with a campaign speech aimed at rivals Rob Ford and Olivia Chow.

Addressing a crowd of supporters at the Polish Combatants' Hall in downtown Toronto, Tory pledged to lower taxes and reduce wasteful spending at city hall, while recounting his familys roots in the city, going back to the 1870s.

He also pledged to build both the Scarborough subway extension and the downtown relief line.

Torontonians want an end to the merry-go-round that passes for transit planning in this city, he told the crowd.

• John Tory, Karen Stintz officially enter mayor's race
• Olivia Chow resigns as MP, will launch Toronto mayoral bid
• Rob Ford files papers for mayoral re-election

Tory took aim at Olivia Chow, who entered the race last week, for her long record of polarization, and at scandal-plagued incumbent Rob Ford.

No one came to office with more goodwill than Rob Ford. And no one will leave office having exhausted more of that goodwill, said Tory.

Tory a one-time provincial Conservative leader and previous mayoral candidate officially entered the mayoral race three weeks ago, joining a crowded field that also includes city councillor Karen Stintz and former councillor David Soknacki.

Supporters who spoke to CBC News said they are ready for a change in leadership at city hall.

He definitely has a proven track record of leadership, said volunteer Jatinder Chera. I don't think you see that with all the other candidates.

Also on Wednesday, Sarah Thomson, who ran for mayor in 2010, announced she will run again this year, and will file her papers Thursday morning.

Toronto goes to the polls on Oct. 27.