After 18 years, Toronto’s first openly gay politician and outspoken advocate for economic development says he’s quitting municipal politics.

On Friday, Toronto Centre-Rosedale Councillor Kyle Rae, announced his plans, citing what he calls a vile political culture characterized by senior levels of government downloading services – and the requisite tax burden – to the city.

“I wish I could say that I have left the City in a better state than I found it,” he said in a lengthy email to supporters.

“I arrived before the Harrisite amalgamation and download. Queen's Park has hobbled the City's ability to deliver municipal services. Downloading provincial programs and services onto the municipal taxpayer has wrecked havoc on our parks, recreation centres, libraries, community services and culture. The federal and provincial aversion for responsible tax policy and appropriate tax increases has resulted in more than 15 years of cowardly downloading onto the City.”

The 54-year-old has also said many councillors suffer from a limited, neighbourhood-centric view.

Since his election in 1991, Rae has represented Ward 27 - a diverse area spanning Rosedale, the gay village and Seaton House, the country's largest homeless shelter. But he has prided himself on making decisions that benefit the entire city.

As the Chair of the Economic Development and Culture Committee, Rae pushed to revitalize downtown by allowing high-density residential towers, protecting heritage buildings, and redeveloping Yonge-Dundas Square. In 2006, he helped launch the massively popular all-night art festival, Nuit Blanche.

Rae, married since 2003 to Mark Reid, made no mention of future career plans.