Bill Blair hopes to run for federal Liberals in next election

Outgoing Toronto police chief Bill Blair hopes to run as a federal Liberal candidate in the upcoming election.

The city’s former top cop announced his intention to seek the nomination for the riding of Scarborough Southwest on social media Sunday morning.

The NDP’s Dan Harris currently holds the seat.

At Khalsa Day celebrations in Toronto on Sunday, Blair told reporters he’s seeking the nomination because he wants to continue to work in public service.

“I finished my job as the chief of police last night, and I have been seeking opportunities to continue to serve my community and my city,” he said. “So, I’ve made a decision to seek the nomination of the federal Liberal party in the riding of Scarborough Southwest.”

Blair said he chose the Grits because of their policy of inclusiveness.

“I’ve supported and served and protected all of the diverse people of this city, and I believe the values that (party leader Justin) Trudeau and the Liberals espouse are the most closely related to my own,” he said.

In January, sources within the federal Liberals told CityNews and 680 NEWS the party had been in talks with Blair. One Liberal source said, “Everyone wants Blair and the Liberals would welcome him.”

Parliament Hill reporter Cormac Mac Sweeney said all three parties had been looking to woo Blair.

“Everybody could gain an advantage by getting Bill Blair — especially in the hotly contested area of the GTA where we know it’s going to be a key battleground in the next election,” he explained. “Getting a big name like Bill Blair is a big coup for the Liberals at this time.”

Mac Sweeney said the Liberals will likely use Blair’s long police history to their advantage.

“It goes a long way for the Liberals to try to beef up their credentials when it comes to crime as well as terrorism because right now the Conservatives, with their focus on the issue of terrorism and homegrown problems … they’ve been able to gain in the polls as a result.”

The Toronto Star first broke the news Saturday evening.

“I am from Scarborough and raised my children here,” Blair said recently in a statement announcing his membership on the board of the Scarborough Hospital Foundation.

“I am very pleased to have the opportunity to … serve the people of my community.”

Blair told the Star he saw public service as the “highest calling” and decided to go with the Liberals after a number of conversations with Trudeau.

Here’s his full interview with 680 NEWS reporter Fil Martino.

The son of a cop, Blair joined the force in the ‘70s as a way to make money while a student at the University of Toronto.

He started out walking the beat in Regent Park and abandoned his goal of a career in law or finance as he moved through the ranks — working undercover in the drug squad as well as in organized crime and major criminal investigations before being promoted to the senior ranks.

Blair became the youngest chief of the Toronto Police Service when he replaced Julian Fantino in April 2005.

On Sunday, Mark Saunders takes over as the new chief of police, with an official swearing-in expected in May.