In the 2014 Toronto municipal election, she was a candidate in the now defunct Ward 44, and came within less than 600 votes of defeating then long-time incumbent Ron Moeser.[1] Ron Moeser died before the following election.
As the statutory deputy mayor, McKelvie assumed certain mayoral powers following the resignation of John Tory on February 17, 2023, and remained the highest-ranking official in the city until the swearing-in of Olivia Chow as mayor on July 12, 2023, following the 2023 Toronto mayoral by-election. Under Chow, McKelvie has continued in her role as deputy mayor, serving in an honorary capacity and representing Scarborough.
McKelvie was the first president of the Scarborough Community Renewal Organization, and was president of the Centennial Community & Recreation Association. In both of these capacities she fought for renewal and investment in Scarborough. McKelvie also served as a member of the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus Council, and as a citizen member of the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA).[9]
Her community service has been recognized by the Scarborough Rotary Clubs, who awarded her with the Paul Harris Fellow award in 2017. She has also received awards recognizing her leadership from the province of Ontario and was named a 150 Neighbour by the University of Toronto Scarborough.[10]
Political career
McKelvie currently serves as Chair of Toronto's Infrastructure and Environment Committee. She also serves on Scarborough's Community Council, the Toronto Hydro Corporation Board of Directors and the Toronto Zoo Board of Management.[11]
Enhancing public transit, protecting the environment and creating employment opportunities in Scarborough, were her key electoral priorities. She also derided the post-amalgamation shift of public investment and municipal jobs out of Scarborough to Toronto's downtown core.[12]
Following the resignation of John Tory on February 17, 2023, McKelvie assumed certain powers of the mayor of Toronto until Mayor Olivia Chow took office on July 12, following the 2023 mayoral by-election.[13][14][15][16] McKelvie endorsed former deputy mayor and city councillor Ana Bailão to succeed Tory. However, she finished second in the election.[17]
^McKelvie was the only and statutory deputy mayor between November 16, 2022, and August 10, 2023. Since August 10, 2023, she holds the position in an honorary capacity, representing Scarborough.
