John Tory meets with premier on first day as mayor

Toronto Mayor John Tory sits with Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne in Toronto on Monday, Dec. 1, 2014. (Keith Hanley / CTV Toronto)

Toronto Mayor John Tory spent his first morning in power meeting with the premier at Queen's Park to discuss transit, housing and investment opportunities.

Tory, who officially took the reins from outgoing Rob Ford on Monday morning, met with Kathleen Wynne shortly after 9 a.m.

Wynne said they talked about priorities, and although they didn't come to any final decisions, she said they've committed to meeting regularly.

"As elected leaders, our responsibility is to work together and come to the best as possible decisions for our constituents," Wynne told media at Queen's Park.

Tory told reporters he made a point of meeting with the premier on his first official day because he wanted to emphasize the importance of working with other levels of government.

"What's very encouraging for me is that we talked quite extensively about traffic and transportation," he said.

Tory said he and Wynne talked about struggling housing projects and how they'd like to work with the federal government to "make things better."

He said he was very encouraged by his first meeting with the premier.

When he arrived at City Hall at 6:30 a.m., Tory told reporters that he didn't feel any different, despite his official title change from mayor-elect to mayor.

"I feel like I've been at the job for three or four weeks already, but I guess as each moment passes I'll be more aware that I actually have the job today," he said with a smile.

Since his election on Nov. 27, Tory has been at City Hall nearly every morning, meeting with staff and city officials.

"I'm looking forward to working with the council colleagues to get results for people."

Council's first meeting since the election will take place Tuesday at 2 p.m., and will be largely ceremonial. Newly elected and re-elected councillors will make a declaration of office before taking their seats, then Tory will be presented with the mayor's chain of office.

Tory reveals executive committee

Tory's new council team, including the all-powerful executive committee, was unveiled on Sunday.

A source from the mayor's office said Denzil Minnan-Wong will serve as deputy mayor. Tory is also seeking to appoint three other deputy mayors, subject to council approval. They are: Vincent Crisanti, Glenn De Baeremaeker and Pam McConnell.

The deputy mayors will be expected to act in a ceremonial capacity, representing the mayor at events in different regions of the city.

The following councillors will be part of Tory's executive committee:

Rob Ford says his job is 'far from over'

The day before Tory officially became the mayor of Toronto, outgoing mayor Rob Ford sent a statement to media, thanking residents of the city for their support.

Ford, who held city council’s top job from 2010 to 2014, wrote that his work was far from over. Ford decided not to run for re-election when he was diagnosed with a rare form of abdominal cancer, opting instead to run for city council.

He was elected to represent Ward 2 Etobicoke North, formerly held by his brother Doug Ford.

In the statement, Ford said he will continue to "look out for the people of Toronto" as a councillor.

"I will make sure that people can see, through a transparent and accountable government, where every one of their hard earned tax dollars is spent," the statement said.