John Tory was very clear last night when he said "don't count me out" of next year's mayoral race.

"Don't worry, if I count myself out of it, the media will be the first to know," the 55-year-old former Progressive Conservative leader joked outside the Toronto International Film Festival gala opening at Roy Thomson Hall.

All he asks right now is people also don't count him in at this point, either. At least not yet.

In light of news Deputy Premier George Smitherman has indicated he will decide next year if he would resign his seat in the provincial legislature to take on already-announced incumbent Mayor David Miller, there has been media pressure for Tory to reveal his intentions.

It was a shrewd political move by smart and savvy Smitherman to not only deal himself in as a possible contender but also perhaps get the jump on Tory to become the one main candidate to try to unseat Miller.

FAVOURABLE RESPONSE

Prior to this week, the Toronto MPP and cabinet minister had denied interest in running but has received a favourable response in some polls now that he has changed his tune.

Whatever the strategy, Tory didn't seem to be biting this week, so when I heard he would be at this TIFF gala I waited outside the front door to get his views. What I found before I even questioned him was a number of people who want him to run.

As he stepped out of his taxi, the driver yelled: "Please run for mayor, Mr. Tory."

And driving by, federal Immigration Minister Jason Kenney hollered, "John Tory for mayor."

After seeing that, I put it to Tory that it's kind of a nudge, nudge, wink, wink scenario and sooner or later he and all of the potential candidates will have to declare. He didn't disagree.

"I know at some point I have to decide and let it be known, but it doesn't have to be this week," he said. "This isn't the Queen's Plate where one second one horse is ahead of another. This is serious business wanting to serve in public service. It's not just like pouring a glass of water."

It may not be the Queen's Plate and although candidates can't register until Jan. 1, the horse race has already begun. And Tory, who reminds us that Smitherman has not yet quit his job or formally declared, doesn't deny he, too, covets the opportunity to "contribute" to the city.

"I am definitely interested," he said. "But I don't think Torontonians want a 15-month campaign."

On the question of media speculation that either he or Smitherman would agree to stand down to leave one viable opponent against Miller, he insisted "there is no such deal" and that "any individual is eligible to run."

Although Smitherman and Tory are high-quality candidates, who knows how the landscape will look next year? Even though Miller told Sun reporter Bryn Weese this week "I'm sure I'll have an opponent and I look forward to debating the issues with whoever it is," there is no guarantee he will be on that ballot.

He will have served two exhausting terms and perhaps after the 16-hour days, as well as approval ratings in the low 20% range, a plush political posting in an area that interests him would seem attractive?

In such a scenario, you could end up with Tory and Smitherman pitted against each other for mayor or, for all we know, Canada could have been through another federal election and NDP Leader Jack Layton may come home to try to run the city he also loves.

There are also good candidates on council including Councillors Rob Ford, Michael Thompson, Adam Vaughan, Karen Stintz and Denzil Minnan-Wong.

DON'T BOX HIM IN

This is why Tory says he won't let pundits, or even eager supporters, box him into a timetable. He said he'd rather use the time to "start looking at what the city needs."

In his view what is needed is "competent government run in a business-like manner," a city "which doesn't bring in new taxes every year and has more respect for taxpayers' money," and one that deals with "crime, poverty, transportation and gridlock swiftly."

The public, says Tory, is more interested in all of that than politicians jockeying for position.

"Look, Joe, our city is in trouble and at a crossroads," he said.

"We have a financial crisis and we need impactful change to make the city what it could be and I will work hard to do that either as a candidate or as a citizen."

John Tory has not yet ruled himself in as a potential candidate for mayor but you can tell he certainly hasn't ruled himself out.

JOE.WARMINGTON@SUNMEDIA.CA