John Tory Jr., son of former Toronto Mayor John Tory, is exploring a potential candidacy with the federal Liberal Party. In an email sent Wednesday, Tory Jr. confirmed he is engaged in "exploratory" discussions regarding a run. This comes after multiple sources indicated he is considering a bid for the Liberals.

Tory Jr. has been meeting with various community members across Toronto, including a recent gathering in Scarborough Southwest, the current riding of former Toronto police chief Bill Blair. A Liberal source, who requested anonymity, stated that Tory Jr. is particularly interested in running in Blair's riding. Discussions within Liberal circles have also suggested that Blair may be in line for a diplomatic position abroad.

While Tory Jr. has focused on Blair's riding, he has not ruled out representing other areas in Toronto. "For now, these discussions remain exploratory. If opportunities arise in the future, I’ll be ready to consider how I can best serve and represent Toronto as part of building a stronger Canada," he wrote in his email. His phrasing mirrors Prime Minister Mark Carney’s campaign slogan from the recent federal election, which emphasized building a stronger Canada.

Matteo Rossi, a spokesperson for the Liberal Party, did not confirm or deny any discussions with Tory Jr. but noted that the party frequently engages with community leaders interested in supporting its initiatives. Rossi added that there are currently no vacancies in the House of Commons, and no by-elections have been announced.

According to the Liberal source, Tory Jr. has expressed a desire to be involved with the federal Liberals for some time, including during the last general election. However, some party members are questioning whether he possesses the necessary experience to be an elected official. Tory Jr. has spent several years in the aviation sector and currently serves as the chief commercial officer at Pivot Airlines, which offers charter flights for businesses and individuals. He is also a regular commentator on Toronto radio.

His father, John Tory, served as Toronto's mayor from 2014 until his resignation in 2023, following revelations of an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. The elder Tory also led the Progressive Conservatives in the 2007 provincial election.

In June, reports surfaced that Tory Jr. might run against current Mayor Olivia Chow in the upcoming municipal election. A recent Facebook post from an account linked to a member of the Scarborough Southwest Liberal riding association featured a photo of Tory Jr. meeting with local figures, stating he has shown interest in federal politics and would be a "strong voice in Ottawa."

In his email, Tory Jr. described the Scarborough meeting as a "vibrant discussion of issues" affecting the area and the Greater Toronto Area. However, Edward Nixon, chair of the local riding association, clarified that the meeting was not organized or sanctioned by the association and reaffirmed their support for Blair.

Blair, who previously served as a defense minister, was not appointed to a cabinet position after Carney's Liberals secured a minority government in the April 28 election. Reports have emerged suggesting that Carney is considering diplomatic roles for both Blair and former cabinet minister Jonathan Wilkinson from British Columbia. However, these reports remain unconfirmed, and neither MP has responded to inquiries.