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EMBATTLED TORONTO MAYOR Rob Ford has been stripped of a number of legislative powers as city councillors seek to limit his powers after his latest obscene outburst.
In a meeting today, city councillors passed a motion in a vote by 39-3 in favour of limiting the mayor’s executive powers, effectively leaving him as the city’s chief magistrate in name only.
Ford, under fire after admitting to having once used crack and allegedly abusing a prescription drug and other misconduct, yesterday drew gasps, giggles and at least one exclamation of “oh, my God” from reporters with remarks yesterday outside his office.
He later apologized, but it did little to stem the swelling outrage.
At a city council meeting, many councillors turned their backs on Ford when he stood to speak.
One chided him for his “disgraceful language” while a former ally said flatly: “Apology not accepted.”
Councillor John Fillion said the aim of the motion was to “try to contain the mayor so that he doesn’t bring down the reputation of council or of the city.”
“We can’t control his behavior, but certainly we can ensure that city business carries on as usual, perhaps even better,” he said.
The motion reduces the mayor’s budget and staff, and strips him of the powers to appoint committee chairs and hire or fire department heads.
Mayor Rob Ford reacts at city council members in Toronto on Thursday. (Pic: CP/AP/Nathan Denette)
One councillor described the move as an attempt to build a “firewall” around the disgraced mayor.
During a morning debate the mayor, who has been alternately defiant and apologetic about his behavior, sat mostly quiet.
He asked a few questions, including about how to manage the transition of powers and raising for the first time the possibility of his resigning.
At the same time, though, he vowed to challenge any bid to oust him or limit his mayoral powers, saying he has retained a lawyer and was ready for a legal battle that could last until the next election in October 2014.
“I have no other options but to challenge this in court,” he said.
Ford pointed out also that he could have removed committee chairs who challenged him to resign, but did not.
“This (motion) will be precedent-setting and if we move ahead with this, then obviously if someone else steps out of line like I have, it is going to affect councillors and the mayor I think for years to come,” he concluded.
“So obviously I cannot support this.”
The mayor’s troubles began several weeks ago when a video surfaced that appeared to show him smoking crack.
Forced to admit he once smoked crack, he apologized for his many “drunken stupors.”
New allegations of misconduct and lewd remarks, disclosed this week, gave another boost to the spiralling scandal.
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harder to get rid of than an irish politician…
I’m reminded of our own Liam Lawlor, now departed.
This story was such a car-crash.
Tragic, but you couldnt look away.
Mick Wallace might want to avoid football tops from now on, if he sees that picture
A huge loss to Toronto. The most boring city in the northern hemisphere. Then they get rid of the first sign of life there. That’s canadians for you. True to form
@andrew: if you think Toronto is the most boring city in the northern hemisphere, then its clear you haven’t travelled a lot. Besides if you think Rob Ford’s antics equate to “signs of life”, then you might have some serious problems..
Jeez I dont know what part of TO you went to, I’ve been there 5 times and the only time I was disappointed was the once I tagged a few days in New York to the end of my trip – and it wasn’t the Canadian part that disappointed.
he’s a nut, don’t know how he got the job in the first place.
Why did the people of Toronto elect him in the first place, what did they see in the disgusting pig and how bad were the other candidates?????
They’ll vote him back in, too.
Apparently he had the balls to take on the greedy public unions and has privatised rubbish collection, which has been great, I’m told.
He’s still gotta get his act together though.
I will admit that Ireland needs politicians that aren’t afraid to speak their minds and confront nonsense media reports.
Check out what he tried to do in the past.
Cutting city councillors expenses and perks.
He made a point of only claiming $10 in a year. Id say that pissed of a lot of powerful people. He tried rock the boat. Now it’s time for him to go
Confucius say, ‘ If you rock the boat, make sure that you’re not in it…’
Sad day when the rent-a-mob and their faux outrage directs political discourse
Seriously…. have you seen what this chap was up to?
That pussy comment he said the other day is the funniest thing I’ve ever heard a public official say out loud. The guy is a nut!
Headbanger.
Just the same as Ming
Stupid comment.
#voteQuimbyforToronto
This man is a legend. Doesn’t give a shite.
have your say