Rae was first elected to Toronto city council in 1991 as a left-leaning councillor filling the seat vacated by Jack Layton (who was running for mayor at the time).

[4] In recent years, Rae supported John Sewell's independent candidacy in the 1999 provincial election[5] and federal Liberal Bill Graham.

Kyle said of Bob, "He has a unique set of skills and experience, and I hope he wins .... His candidacy has my full support.

His calling the police "rogue cops" and "goons" and the operation a "panty raid" was criticized, and the officers alleged what was only a standard liquor inspection hurt their careers and reputations.

It would also give the city the power to perform emergency repairs in certain cases, applying the bill to the owner's taxes.

[16] In June 2010, Rae held a retirement party at the Rosewater Club and billed the $12,000 cost to his office budget.

[17][18] Since retirement, Rae has worked as a consultant for the development industry clearing zoning and other regulatory and statutory hurdles on behalf of builders.