KING JESUS IS COMING FOR US ANY TIME NOW. THE RAPTURE. BE PREPARED TO GO.
ROB FORD STRIPPED OF POWERS-BREAKING NEWS-NOV 18,13 6PM
VOTE BREAKDOWN RESULTS
http://israndjer.blogspot.ca/2013/11/vote-breakdown-on-rob-ford-loses-budget.html
ITS 9:35AM AND COUNCIL WILL SOON BEGIN ON FORDS POWER BUDGET FATE
http://www.rogerstv.com/page.aspx?lid=237&rid=16&sid=1030&lve=54126
FORD WAS FACING QUESTIONS ABOUT HIS COMPETENCE AS MAYORFOR LAST 3 DAYS
http://www.rogerstv.com/page.aspx?lid=237&rid=16&sid=1030&lve=39539
http://www.rogerstv.com/page.aspx?lid=237&rid=16&sid=1030&lve=39538
FORD CALLS FOR SNAP ELECTION BEFORE NEXT COUNCIL VOTE
http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/rob-ford-calls-for-snap-election-ahead-of-another-toronto-council-vote-1.1547881
http://www.ctvnews.ca/video?playlistId=1.1547864
NOV 18,13-PROPOSED SUSPENSION AND SUBSTITUTION OF SPECIAL RULES IN CHAPTER 27,COUNCIL PROCEDURES AND AMENDMENTS TO THE POWER,DUTIES AND OFFICE OF OPERATIONS OF THE MAYOR.
DOUG FORD PUT A MOTION UP BEFORE COUNCIL TO A MAYORAL RACE ONLY.WITH A 30 DAY ELECTORAL DATE.THEN 45 DAYS LATER.THE VOTE FOR A NEW MAYOR ONLY.NO COUNCIL MEMBERS BEING VOTED ON.A MAYORAL VOTE ONLY.
THE CIRCUS AT TORONTO CITY COUNCIL TODAY.
FIRST-DOUG AND ROB FORD WERE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE COUNCIL GETTING CHANGES TO THE ORIGINAL BILL AND ONLY GAVE A HALF HOUR TO READ THE NEW BILL BEFORE WHICH WAS TABLED AT 12:04PM.AND THE COUNCIL MEETING STARTED AT 12:30PM.
AT 2:50PM A BRIEF OUTBURST OCCURED FROM YELLING MATCHES FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS AND AUDIENCE MEMBERS.THE SPEAKER FRANCES NUNZIATA HAD TO CALL A 10 MINUTE TIME OUT.ABOUT 5 MINUTES LATER WHEN THINGS COOLED OFF AND THE SPEAKER GOT RID OF THE AUDIENCE AND TOLD THE MEDIA TO GO UP TO THE GALLERY.THE MEETING RESUMED.
KRISTYN WONG-TAM CALLED ROB FORD A HOMOPHOBE,WOMAN HATER.AND SHE SAID SHE WOULD BE SUPPORTING TAKING BUDGET POWERS FROM FORD AND GIVING IT TO THE DEPUTY MAYOR KELLY.
PAUL AINSLIE A LONG TIME FRIEND OF ROB FORD WILL ALSO BE SUPPORTING THE MOTION.ITS 4:17PM AND THE VOTE HAS NOT TAKEN PLACE YET.
SPEAKER FRANCES NUNZIATA CALLS THIS BILL VICIOUS AND UN CALLED FOR.THE MONEY SITUATION HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH TAKING FORDS POWER.LAST WEEK SHE AGREED WAS THE RIGHT BILLS AGAINST FORD.THE SPEAKER WAS TALKING AS FORD TOOK OVER THE SPEAKERS CHAIR.
ROB FORD WAS THE LAST SPEAKER.HE CONGRADULATED THE HAMILTON TIGER CATS ON THEIR GREY CUP FINAL WIN.FORD THEN SAID IF USE VOTE FOR THIS BILL - USE ARE STEALING THE PEOPLES RIGHTS TO VOTE.FORD THEN SAYS.IF YOU CAST THE LAST STONE.USE WILL HURT THE DEMOCRATIC WRIGHT TO VOTE.FORD SAYS THE MEDIA TOLD THEIR STORY.WATCH ME TONIGHT ON SUN TV AND I WILL BE TELLING MY STORY.FORD FINISHED WITH I WILL BE GIVING USE A FIGHT OF MY LIFE IN THE NEXT ELECTIONS.ITS 5PM AND ALL THE MOTIONS AND AMENDMENTS WILL BE VOTED ON SEPARATELY.AND THE VOTING WILL BEGIN SHORTLY.
SPEAKER FRANCES CALLS A POINT OF ORDER.AND ROB FORD WAS TOLD BY THE INTEGRETY COMMISSIONER NOT TO VOTE ON THESE BILLS.AND HE TOLD THE SPEAKER HE WAS LEAVING.AND HE ROB FORD LEFT.
ONLY 2 OF THE 3 PAGES OF THE MOTION WILL BE VOTED ON.WHAT WERE VOTING ON IS THE FIRST TWO PAGES SAYS THE SPEAKER.ON THE MOTION 3 BY DOUG FORD.IT WAS VOTED OUT OF ORDER.
VOTES STARTED AT 5:07PM
PART 1 VOTE CARRIES 40-2
PART 2 VOTE CARRIES 37-5
PART 2-B VOTE CARRIES 36-6
PART 3 VOTE CARRIES 36-6
PART 3-A VOTE CARRIES 36-5
PART 3-B VOTE CARRIES 32-9 (I MISSED A GUESS)
PART 3-C VOTE CARRIES 32-9
PART 4-D VOTE CARRIES 32-10
PART 4-E CARRIES 30-12
PART 4-F CARRIES 35-7
PART 4-G CARRIES 37-5
PART 4-H CARRIES 36-6
PART 4-I CARRIES 37-5
PART 5 CARRIES 39-3
PART 6 CARRIES 36-6
PART 7-A CARRIES 34-8
PART 7-B CARRIES 38-4
PART 7-C CARRIES 36-6
PART 7-D CARRIES 37-5
PART 7-E CARRIES 36-6
PART 7-F CARRIES 37-5
PART 7-G CARRIES 38-4
MOTION #4 9-32 DOES NOT CARRY.
MOTION #5 11-30 DOES NOT CARRY.
MEETING FOR AMENMENT CARRIES 36-5
WHATEVER THESE BILLS SAY MAYOR ROB FORD HAS LOST ALL OF THE PRIVLAGES OF THE BUDGET.THE DEPUTY MAYOR WILL TAKE OVER MOST OF THE BUDGET DUTIES FROM FORD NOW.HE LOST EVERY BILL VOTED ON.HE SHOULD PRETTY WELL BE CRIPPLED AS MAYOR NOW AND DUPTY KELLY WILL MOSTLY BE IN CHARGE NOW.TORONTO SHOULD BE SATISFIED.AND TORONTO CAN CARRY ON WITH MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.FORD WILL ONLY HAVE 8 MEMBERS LEFT IN HIS OFFICE FROM 20 THAT WILL BE WORKING WITH HIM.KELLY TAKES OVER CHARGE OF THE REST OF THE WORKERS.
BILLS
1694
1695
1696
VOTE FOR BILLS TO COME IN CARRIES 38-3
CAN THESE BILLS BE VOTED INTO BYLAW CARRIES 38-3
ABSCENTEES VOTE CARRIES 40-1
MOTION TO ADJURN THIS MEETING CARRIES 38-3
AT 5:35PM ON MON NOV 18,13 THE VOTING IS COMPLETE.
CBC – 2 hours 18 minutes ago-NOV 18,13-Yahoonews
A new challenge to Mayor Rob Ford awaits him at Toronto City Hall today, as councillors are set to consider yet another motion to limit his powers.The motion calls for paring back the mayor’s office budget so that it is equivalent to that of a regular member of city council, and for the balance of his budget to be administered by his deputy.The councillors will also consider delegating additional powers Ford holds to Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly.Council has already taken steps to restrict Ford’s powers in recent days, amid a high-profile scandal that has seen the mayor admit to having smoked crack cocaine, to buying illegal drugs and to other behaviours he has deemed embarrassing to have revealed.Three days ago, council voted overwhelmingly in favour of stripping the mayor of his ability to appoint and dismiss the deputy mayor and key committee members. In a separate vote, they also removed his ability to exercise emergency powers.
On the weekend, Ford appeared prepared to press forward at city hall, no matter what council may do on Monday."I'm going to continue to fight for the little guy. I'm going to continue to save taxpayers money. And if the councillors want to strip all my powers, that's up to them," Ford told the U.S.-based Fox News.
His brother, Coun. Doug Ford, expressed a similar view to reporters when asked what he thought about the pending council meeting."They are going to do whatever they’re going to do, they are going to trample on everyone’s democracy," he said as he made his way to a taping of the first episode of a new TV show he will host with the mayor.Ford also taped an interview with CNN, during which he mingled with supporters in a neighbourhood in Etobicoke — the Toronto suburb where he served as a city councillor before being elected mayor, and where he still lives — and repeated his claims he has been unfairly targeted by the media. Things turned testy, however, when Ford was pressed about his initial denial, and eventual admission, of drug use.
"Typical media, you're all the same, cut from the same cloth," he told CNN's Bill Weir.Coun. Ford, standing nearby, tried to get his brother to calm down. Mayor Ford apparently cursed during the interview, a seeming echo of last week's gaffe, though his exact words were bleeped out. He immediately apologized for swearing in the presence of children. Ford has been at the centre of an extraordinary month of November at city hall. The mayor has made a number of surprising admissions, apologies and responses that have captured the attention of those living in Toronto and many others around the world.The mayor admitted to having smoked crack cocaine since taking office, as well as to having purchased illegal drugs in the past two years. Ford has also made apologies for "mistakes," some of which were alcohol-related and included getting "hammered" at a street festival this past summer.Also during this time, a bizarre video surfaced showing the mayor ranting and swearing. Ford apologized, saying that he was "extremely, extremely inebriated," though he did not clarify the circumstances under which it was recorded.Coupled with his admissions have been apologies. Ford has repeatedly indicated he is sorry for various behaviours, while also reiterating the fact that he cannot change the past.Ford has also talked about the pressure he has felt for months, after reports emerged that someone had been shopping a video that allegedly showed the mayor using crack cocaine.
The mayor long denied those reports, as well as denying that he used crack cocaine. But after the city’s police chief revealed on Oct. 31 that investigators had obtained a copy of a video that was consistent with media reports, Ford began calling for its release and eventually admitted that he had indeed smoked crack cocaine.The drama surrounding the mayor has been covered by media around the world and has made Ford’s name frequently referenced on late-night talk shows. On the weekend, Saturday Night Live had a skit that centred on the mayor.Ford came to power in 2010 vowing to "stop the gravy train," or to limit the spending and waste that he perceives to be taking place at city hall.Since being elected as mayor three years ago, Ford’s off-duty activities and his city hall work have both made for many headlines.Last year, Ford faced a conflict-of-interest challenge that nearly forced him from office. But he won an appeal that allowed him to keep his job.Ford also faced an unrelated defamation lawsuit, which was eventually dismissed in court.A noted football fan, Ford for a time coached a high-school team, which some critics said was a distraction from his mayoral duties. He no longer coaches that team, as the school board decided to seek a replacement after reviewing remarks Ford made in a television interview.Ford’s driving has also made headlines at time, including an occasion in which he admitted he was "probably" reading documents while driving his Cadillac Escalade on the Gardiner Expressway. The mayor then refused calls to get himself a driver, though he recently decided to do so.He has made it clear that he intends to run for re-election next year, though Ford has said he expects the next municipal campaign will be "a bloodbath."So far, Coun. Karen Stintz, the TTC chair, is the only current of member of council to definitively state an intention to run against Ford next year.David Soknacki, a former city councillor, is also expected to run for mayor in 2014.
Ford, now 44, is a father of two young children.
ROB FORD STRIPPED OF POWERS-BREAKING NEWS-NOV 18,13 6PM
VOTE BREAKDOWN RESULTS
http://israndjer.blogspot.ca/2013/11/vote-breakdown-on-rob-ford-loses-budget.html
ITS 9:35AM AND COUNCIL WILL SOON BEGIN ON FORDS POWER BUDGET FATE
http://www.rogerstv.com/page.aspx?lid=237&rid=16&sid=1030&lve=54126
FORD WAS FACING QUESTIONS ABOUT HIS COMPETENCE AS MAYORFOR LAST 3 DAYS
http://www.rogerstv.com/page.aspx?lid=237&rid=16&sid=1030&lve=39539
http://www.rogerstv.com/page.aspx?lid=237&rid=16&sid=1030&lve=39538
FORD CALLS FOR SNAP ELECTION BEFORE NEXT COUNCIL VOTE
http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/rob-ford-calls-for-snap-election-ahead-of-another-toronto-council-vote-1.1547881
http://www.ctvnews.ca/video?playlistId=1.1547864
NOV 18,13-PROPOSED SUSPENSION AND SUBSTITUTION OF SPECIAL RULES IN CHAPTER 27,COUNCIL PROCEDURES AND AMENDMENTS TO THE POWER,DUTIES AND OFFICE OF OPERATIONS OF THE MAYOR.
DOUG FORD PUT A MOTION UP BEFORE COUNCIL TO A MAYORAL RACE ONLY.WITH A 30 DAY ELECTORAL DATE.THEN 45 DAYS LATER.THE VOTE FOR A NEW MAYOR ONLY.NO COUNCIL MEMBERS BEING VOTED ON.A MAYORAL VOTE ONLY.
THE CIRCUS AT TORONTO CITY COUNCIL TODAY.
FIRST-DOUG AND ROB FORD WERE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE COUNCIL GETTING CHANGES TO THE ORIGINAL BILL AND ONLY GAVE A HALF HOUR TO READ THE NEW BILL BEFORE WHICH WAS TABLED AT 12:04PM.AND THE COUNCIL MEETING STARTED AT 12:30PM.
AT 2:50PM A BRIEF OUTBURST OCCURED FROM YELLING MATCHES FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS AND AUDIENCE MEMBERS.THE SPEAKER FRANCES NUNZIATA HAD TO CALL A 10 MINUTE TIME OUT.ABOUT 5 MINUTES LATER WHEN THINGS COOLED OFF AND THE SPEAKER GOT RID OF THE AUDIENCE AND TOLD THE MEDIA TO GO UP TO THE GALLERY.THE MEETING RESUMED.
KRISTYN WONG-TAM CALLED ROB FORD A HOMOPHOBE,WOMAN HATER.AND SHE SAID SHE WOULD BE SUPPORTING TAKING BUDGET POWERS FROM FORD AND GIVING IT TO THE DEPUTY MAYOR KELLY.
PAUL AINSLIE A LONG TIME FRIEND OF ROB FORD WILL ALSO BE SUPPORTING THE MOTION.ITS 4:17PM AND THE VOTE HAS NOT TAKEN PLACE YET.
SPEAKER FRANCES NUNZIATA CALLS THIS BILL VICIOUS AND UN CALLED FOR.THE MONEY SITUATION HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH TAKING FORDS POWER.LAST WEEK SHE AGREED WAS THE RIGHT BILLS AGAINST FORD.THE SPEAKER WAS TALKING AS FORD TOOK OVER THE SPEAKERS CHAIR.
ROB FORD WAS THE LAST SPEAKER.HE CONGRADULATED THE HAMILTON TIGER CATS ON THEIR GREY CUP FINAL WIN.FORD THEN SAID IF USE VOTE FOR THIS BILL - USE ARE STEALING THE PEOPLES RIGHTS TO VOTE.FORD THEN SAYS.IF YOU CAST THE LAST STONE.USE WILL HURT THE DEMOCRATIC WRIGHT TO VOTE.FORD SAYS THE MEDIA TOLD THEIR STORY.WATCH ME TONIGHT ON SUN TV AND I WILL BE TELLING MY STORY.FORD FINISHED WITH I WILL BE GIVING USE A FIGHT OF MY LIFE IN THE NEXT ELECTIONS.ITS 5PM AND ALL THE MOTIONS AND AMENDMENTS WILL BE VOTED ON SEPARATELY.AND THE VOTING WILL BEGIN SHORTLY.
SPEAKER FRANCES CALLS A POINT OF ORDER.AND ROB FORD WAS TOLD BY THE INTEGRETY COMMISSIONER NOT TO VOTE ON THESE BILLS.AND HE TOLD THE SPEAKER HE WAS LEAVING.AND HE ROB FORD LEFT.
ONLY 2 OF THE 3 PAGES OF THE MOTION WILL BE VOTED ON.WHAT WERE VOTING ON IS THE FIRST TWO PAGES SAYS THE SPEAKER.ON THE MOTION 3 BY DOUG FORD.IT WAS VOTED OUT OF ORDER.
VOTES STARTED AT 5:07PM
PART 1 VOTE CARRIES 40-2
PART 2 VOTE CARRIES 37-5
PART 2-B VOTE CARRIES 36-6
PART 3 VOTE CARRIES 36-6
PART 3-A VOTE CARRIES 36-5
PART 3-B VOTE CARRIES 32-9 (I MISSED A GUESS)
PART 3-C VOTE CARRIES 32-9
PART 4-D VOTE CARRIES 32-10
PART 4-E CARRIES 30-12
PART 4-F CARRIES 35-7
PART 4-G CARRIES 37-5
PART 4-H CARRIES 36-6
PART 4-I CARRIES 37-5
PART 5 CARRIES 39-3
PART 6 CARRIES 36-6
PART 7-A CARRIES 34-8
PART 7-B CARRIES 38-4
PART 7-C CARRIES 36-6
PART 7-D CARRIES 37-5
PART 7-E CARRIES 36-6
PART 7-F CARRIES 37-5
PART 7-G CARRIES 38-4
MOTION #4 9-32 DOES NOT CARRY.
MOTION #5 11-30 DOES NOT CARRY.
MEETING FOR AMENMENT CARRIES 36-5
WHATEVER THESE BILLS SAY MAYOR ROB FORD HAS LOST ALL OF THE PRIVLAGES OF THE BUDGET.THE DEPUTY MAYOR WILL TAKE OVER MOST OF THE BUDGET DUTIES FROM FORD NOW.HE LOST EVERY BILL VOTED ON.HE SHOULD PRETTY WELL BE CRIPPLED AS MAYOR NOW AND DUPTY KELLY WILL MOSTLY BE IN CHARGE NOW.TORONTO SHOULD BE SATISFIED.AND TORONTO CAN CARRY ON WITH MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.FORD WILL ONLY HAVE 8 MEMBERS LEFT IN HIS OFFICE FROM 20 THAT WILL BE WORKING WITH HIM.KELLY TAKES OVER CHARGE OF THE REST OF THE WORKERS.
BILLS
1694
1695
1696
VOTE FOR BILLS TO COME IN CARRIES 38-3
CAN THESE BILLS BE VOTED INTO BYLAW CARRIES 38-3
ABSCENTEES VOTE CARRIES 40-1
MOTION TO ADJURN THIS MEETING CARRIES 38-3
AT 5:35PM ON MON NOV 18,13 THE VOTING IS COMPLETE.
Rob Ford stripped of power as mayor by Toronto council
Vote transfers much of his powers and budget to Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly.
In yet another
unprecedented move, on Monday council approved a series of steps that
transfer a significant chunk of the mayor’s budget and many of his
powers to Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly.The latest in a string
of initiatives aimed at stripping the defiant mayor of his powers was
taken during a high-octane meeting marked by chaos, yelling and even a
minor injury on the council floor. City council's actions come in the
wake of Ford's series of admissions in recent weeks that he has smoked
crack cocaine while in office, gotten behind the wheel after having a
few drinks and purchased illegal drugs in the last two years.Before voting got underway, Ford warned that the changes would “seriously hurt democracy in this city.”“If you think
American-style politics is nasty, you guys have just attacked Kuwait,”
Ford said. “This is going to be outright war in the next election.”But the vast majority
of his fellow councillors could not be deterred from taking actions that
many said they felt they had no choice but to pursue.“You could have become
a fairytale of second chances,” Councillor Cesar Palacio, a Ford ally,
said. “Unfortunately you didn't ... don't blame us.”
Councillors decided by
a 37-5 vote to cut the mayor’s budget and by a 36-6 vote to transfer
many of Ford’s deputies and much of his budget to Deputy Mayor Norm
Kelly.A 32-10 vote decreed Ford could no longer set key matters on the legislative agenda.Another 37-5 vote removed the mayor’s right to fill vacancies on the civic appointments committee.He still retains
statutory and symbolic powers, and can still attend official functions
as Toronto’s mayor, but he no longer has the clout associated with a
CEO.The vote follows six
months of turmoil and scandal, triggered by reports of a video in which
Ford appears to smoke crack cocaine and make homophobic and racist
remarks.In recent days, Ford
has admitted to buying crack cocaine and smoking it, as well as possibly
driving while drunk, but vehemently denied he is an addict or an
alcoholic.
The council decision
means most of Ford’s real powers are transferred to the deputy mayor’s
office until Nov. 3, after the next election.The move would cut Ford’s office from 20 to an estimated eight staff members.He told council that he receives some 3,000 letters, 138,000 emails and 22,000 phone calls each year.“Obviously I can’t do my job with eight people in my office,” Ford said, on “one-quarter of the previous mayor’s budget.”Rob Ford appeared to
relish much of the drama, shaking hands and hugging spectators and
confronting others while a security guard next to him filmed the crowd
with a smart phone.At one particularly heated point, the red-faced mayor bolted towards the public gallery.Councillor Pam McConnell was bumped by the mayor in the drama and fell backwards, but did not loose her footing.The mayor helped her get upright and then walked away smiling.People shouted, “Shame!” at the mayor while others applauded.
CP24 reported that Doug Ford shouted “Scumbags!” at hecklers, who shouted back abuse.Rob Ford later
attempted to explain the fracas by saying, “I ran around because I
thought my brother was getting into an altercation.”Regarding his collision with McConnell, Ford said, “I picked her up.”Rob Ford said he
apologized to “anybody that I offended when I rushed into my brother’s
defence…” and, after some prodding from Speaker Frances Nunziata, said,
“It was a complete accident. I sincerely apologize to Councillor
McConnell.”The mayor later chuckled when a heckler from the public gallery said the public is tired of him acting like a bully.Rob Ford earlier questioned whether there was any need for the meeting.
“Is there an emergency?” he asked, to a smattering of laughter.Councillor John Filion
spoke strongly in favour of stripping Ford of his powers, saying city
residents have grown weary of the ever-broadening scandal.“Every new day brings the same old question: what’s next?” said Filion, who drafted the motion.
“I believe we have an obligation to act,” he said, as Rob Ford glared in his direction.Before the vote was
taken, a solicitor retained by the city said the motion is within the
powers of council and doesn’t infringe on the statutory powers of the
mayor.Those comments came after reports that Rob Ford has threatened to sue if council passed the emergency motion.As the meeting began,
Councillor Giorgio Mammoliti said that he planned to boycott the vote,
slamming it as illegal and undemocratic.“I believe that the
mayor is ill and I believe that some of the decisions he has made lately
are because of that,” Mammoliti said on Monday.
Ford had no reaction to Mammoliti’s comments, despite sitting directly beside him.Mammoliti chastised the mayor for not taking a leave of absence.The mayor’s brother,
Councillor Doug Ford said he thinks it’s time for the public to vote on
whether his brother should be returned to office, with full powers.“I think it’s time to go to the people,” Doug Ford said.He earlier fired barbs at the city solicitor and accused her of smirking and others in council chambers of “cackling.”“I don’t find this funny,” Doug Ford said. “I find that this is about the future of the city.”He then called the special council meeting a “kangaroo court.”“You don’t understand the job of the mayor!,” Doug Ford said.Doug Ford also
verbally lashed out at Councillor Paul Ainslie, who acknowledged in May
that he was stopped by a RIDE spot check May 3 and was given a warning
that required him to surrender his driver’s licence for three days.
Ainslie was not charged with impaired driving.
“Okay Councillor Ainslie, you’ve got your own issues,” Doug Ford said. “I wouldn’t be saying too much.”
As Doug Ford lambasted Ainslie, Rob Ford made dramatic arm gestures, as if driving a car while drunk.
Things were tense even
before the meeting started. Rob Ford refused to step onto a city hall
elevator which already carried his vocal critic, Councillor Adam
Vaughan, according to CP24 News.Councillor Denzil
Minnan-Wong catalogued ways the has already been rejected as the
representative of the city, nothing how he was shunned by the Santa
Claus Parade and Toronto Argonaut football playoff game on the weekend.
"Through your actions, through your bad judgements, you sir, have lost the ability to lead this city,” Minnan-Wong said.On Friday, council
voted to strip Ford of the power to fire the deputy mayor, Norm Kelly,
and the councillors he has appointed to chair seven committees.Those are powerful appointments that help the mayor control the legislative agenda.In the second vote on Friday, council took away Ford's power to make decisions on his own during emergencies.
Toronto council begins debate to strip Mayor Rob Ford of more powers
Toronto city council has begun an extraordinary meeting that would reduce embattled Mayor Rob Ford to essentially a figurehead.Before
the meeting, which follows two related votes passed with overwhelming
majorities on Friday, Mr. Ford called for a snap election so voters
could decide his political future.
“Let the voters decide,” Mr. Ford told John Oakley of AM640 on Monday morning. “The voters’ democracy is being trampled upon, Johnny. It is absolutely wrong. This is a coup d’état, it is the worst of the worst of the worst.”Mr. Ford called on council to call an election, suggesting a 30-day period to sign up candidates followed by a 60-day campaign.“If they want me out, they should just call a snap election and they’re talking about it, but do it. I’m willing to go to the polls right now,” he told the radio station.Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, who would have to intervene for such a move, has said her government might be prepared to get involved at the request of city council. However, there is no apparent move afoot to build support for an early election. Voters are currently scheduled to go to the polls on Oct. 27.Councillor John Filion, who brought forth the motion that council is considering, said Mr. Ford is an impediment to the smooth functioning of the city.“He’s obviously doing harm to the reputation of the city but he’s also allowing his personal dysfunction to get in the way of the decision-making process here. It’s just really hard to get all the necessary work done in the way we need to get it done with Rob Ford at the helm choosing to be obstructive,” he said.Mr. Filion hinted that there may be some amendments to his motion, but wouldn’t provide further details ahead of the 12:30 p.m. EST meeting.The motion seeks to “delegate to the deputy mayor all powers and duties which are not by statute assigned to the mayor.” It would also kick him off of any council committees, adding that if he attends, he would not “enjoy the rights and privileges of other committee members when present at a committee meeting.”On Friday, council approved by an overwhelming majority two motions that strip the mayor of his power to appoint standing committee chairs and to limit his powers in an emergency.As well, Mr. Ford has vowed to take legal action to challenge city council’s moves in court. He told AM640 that previous legal bills, including a conflict-of-interest case relating to his football foundation, cost him almost half a million dollars.“I’m going to have to take them to court. What else am I supposed to do, Johnny? Sit here and let these guys hound me for saving money? That’s all it comes down to, and trying to embarrass me and have the police chief come out there and just try to embarrass me.”Councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong said the mayor has given council no choice but to take action. “We are pretty much taking action because of the mayor’s conduct and his bad behaviour and his bad judgment that relates to hanging out with gangs, his relationship and use of illegal substances and his bad choices to step behind the wheel of a car when he’s been drinking,” he said.Mr. Minnan-Wong said council will not “roll over to the threats” of legal action. “If he had respect for taxpayers he wouldn’t start a legal proceeding that is going to cost those very taxpayers thousands and thousands of dollars,” he said.
Mr. Ford has issued a string of public apologies this month, including ones for smoking crack cocaine, for “drunken stupors” and for making vulgar remarks. The controversies have made him the butt of jokes on late-night television shows and turned almost all of his political allies at city hall against him.In his radio interview, Mr. Ford discussed the treatment he is receiving, saying his biggest challenge is losing weight. He said over the weekend that he works out for two hours every day.“Obviously weight is the biggest issue here and the last thing – the last thing – [the professionals] say is you keep going to work, you love this politics, that’s it. You go home, you play with your kids like you do every night. You take care of your wife like I do every night. You know what Johnny? I’m fine. You know what I’m worried about? It’s all those guys at city hall, they’re the ones that need help, not me.”As well, Councillor Doug Ford said his brother still has the support of the “common folk,” of the city who make of the majority of the city’s population and will re-elect him. “He could hold a rally and have 10,000 to 15,000 people show up. There’s not a politician in this country that could pull those numbers -- nowhere. That’s what recharges our battery, are the people,” the Etobicoke councillor told reporters. “There are more common folk than the establishment and the rich elites. Those people will vote and they will come out en mass for Rob Ford.”Asked if he and his brother, who grew up in an affluent part of Etobicoke and are personal friends with the federal finance minister, are part of the elite, Mr. Ford balked: “The Fords’ establishment? You’ve got to be kidding me. That is the last thing we are,” he said.
“Let the voters decide,” Mr. Ford told John Oakley of AM640 on Monday morning. “The voters’ democracy is being trampled upon, Johnny. It is absolutely wrong. This is a coup d’état, it is the worst of the worst of the worst.”Mr. Ford called on council to call an election, suggesting a 30-day period to sign up candidates followed by a 60-day campaign.“If they want me out, they should just call a snap election and they’re talking about it, but do it. I’m willing to go to the polls right now,” he told the radio station.Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, who would have to intervene for such a move, has said her government might be prepared to get involved at the request of city council. However, there is no apparent move afoot to build support for an early election. Voters are currently scheduled to go to the polls on Oct. 27.Councillor John Filion, who brought forth the motion that council is considering, said Mr. Ford is an impediment to the smooth functioning of the city.“He’s obviously doing harm to the reputation of the city but he’s also allowing his personal dysfunction to get in the way of the decision-making process here. It’s just really hard to get all the necessary work done in the way we need to get it done with Rob Ford at the helm choosing to be obstructive,” he said.Mr. Filion hinted that there may be some amendments to his motion, but wouldn’t provide further details ahead of the 12:30 p.m. EST meeting.The motion seeks to “delegate to the deputy mayor all powers and duties which are not by statute assigned to the mayor.” It would also kick him off of any council committees, adding that if he attends, he would not “enjoy the rights and privileges of other committee members when present at a committee meeting.”On Friday, council approved by an overwhelming majority two motions that strip the mayor of his power to appoint standing committee chairs and to limit his powers in an emergency.As well, Mr. Ford has vowed to take legal action to challenge city council’s moves in court. He told AM640 that previous legal bills, including a conflict-of-interest case relating to his football foundation, cost him almost half a million dollars.“I’m going to have to take them to court. What else am I supposed to do, Johnny? Sit here and let these guys hound me for saving money? That’s all it comes down to, and trying to embarrass me and have the police chief come out there and just try to embarrass me.”Councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong said the mayor has given council no choice but to take action. “We are pretty much taking action because of the mayor’s conduct and his bad behaviour and his bad judgment that relates to hanging out with gangs, his relationship and use of illegal substances and his bad choices to step behind the wheel of a car when he’s been drinking,” he said.Mr. Minnan-Wong said council will not “roll over to the threats” of legal action. “If he had respect for taxpayers he wouldn’t start a legal proceeding that is going to cost those very taxpayers thousands and thousands of dollars,” he said.
Mr. Ford has issued a string of public apologies this month, including ones for smoking crack cocaine, for “drunken stupors” and for making vulgar remarks. The controversies have made him the butt of jokes on late-night television shows and turned almost all of his political allies at city hall against him.In his radio interview, Mr. Ford discussed the treatment he is receiving, saying his biggest challenge is losing weight. He said over the weekend that he works out for two hours every day.“Obviously weight is the biggest issue here and the last thing – the last thing – [the professionals] say is you keep going to work, you love this politics, that’s it. You go home, you play with your kids like you do every night. You take care of your wife like I do every night. You know what Johnny? I’m fine. You know what I’m worried about? It’s all those guys at city hall, they’re the ones that need help, not me.”As well, Councillor Doug Ford said his brother still has the support of the “common folk,” of the city who make of the majority of the city’s population and will re-elect him. “He could hold a rally and have 10,000 to 15,000 people show up. There’s not a politician in this country that could pull those numbers -- nowhere. That’s what recharges our battery, are the people,” the Etobicoke councillor told reporters. “There are more common folk than the establishment and the rich elites. Those people will vote and they will come out en mass for Rob Ford.”Asked if he and his brother, who grew up in an affluent part of Etobicoke and are personal friends with the federal finance minister, are part of the elite, Mr. Ford balked: “The Fords’ establishment? You’ve got to be kidding me. That is the last thing we are,” he said.
Rob Ford could see council restrict his office budget today
CBC – 2 hours 18 minutes ago-NOV 18,13-YahoonewsA new challenge to Mayor Rob Ford awaits him at Toronto City Hall today, as councillors are set to consider yet another motion to limit his powers.The motion calls for paring back the mayor’s office budget so that it is equivalent to that of a regular member of city council, and for the balance of his budget to be administered by his deputy.The councillors will also consider delegating additional powers Ford holds to Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly.Council has already taken steps to restrict Ford’s powers in recent days, amid a high-profile scandal that has seen the mayor admit to having smoked crack cocaine, to buying illegal drugs and to other behaviours he has deemed embarrassing to have revealed.Three days ago, council voted overwhelmingly in favour of stripping the mayor of his ability to appoint and dismiss the deputy mayor and key committee members. In a separate vote, they also removed his ability to exercise emergency powers.
On the weekend, Ford appeared prepared to press forward at city hall, no matter what council may do on Monday."I'm going to continue to fight for the little guy. I'm going to continue to save taxpayers money. And if the councillors want to strip all my powers, that's up to them," Ford told the U.S.-based Fox News.
His brother, Coun. Doug Ford, expressed a similar view to reporters when asked what he thought about the pending council meeting."They are going to do whatever they’re going to do, they are going to trample on everyone’s democracy," he said as he made his way to a taping of the first episode of a new TV show he will host with the mayor.Ford also taped an interview with CNN, during which he mingled with supporters in a neighbourhood in Etobicoke — the Toronto suburb where he served as a city councillor before being elected mayor, and where he still lives — and repeated his claims he has been unfairly targeted by the media. Things turned testy, however, when Ford was pressed about his initial denial, and eventual admission, of drug use.
"Typical media, you're all the same, cut from the same cloth," he told CNN's Bill Weir.Coun. Ford, standing nearby, tried to get his brother to calm down. Mayor Ford apparently cursed during the interview, a seeming echo of last week's gaffe, though his exact words were bleeped out. He immediately apologized for swearing in the presence of children. Ford has been at the centre of an extraordinary month of November at city hall. The mayor has made a number of surprising admissions, apologies and responses that have captured the attention of those living in Toronto and many others around the world.The mayor admitted to having smoked crack cocaine since taking office, as well as to having purchased illegal drugs in the past two years. Ford has also made apologies for "mistakes," some of which were alcohol-related and included getting "hammered" at a street festival this past summer.Also during this time, a bizarre video surfaced showing the mayor ranting and swearing. Ford apologized, saying that he was "extremely, extremely inebriated," though he did not clarify the circumstances under which it was recorded.Coupled with his admissions have been apologies. Ford has repeatedly indicated he is sorry for various behaviours, while also reiterating the fact that he cannot change the past.Ford has also talked about the pressure he has felt for months, after reports emerged that someone had been shopping a video that allegedly showed the mayor using crack cocaine.
The mayor long denied those reports, as well as denying that he used crack cocaine. But after the city’s police chief revealed on Oct. 31 that investigators had obtained a copy of a video that was consistent with media reports, Ford began calling for its release and eventually admitted that he had indeed smoked crack cocaine.The drama surrounding the mayor has been covered by media around the world and has made Ford’s name frequently referenced on late-night talk shows. On the weekend, Saturday Night Live had a skit that centred on the mayor.Ford came to power in 2010 vowing to "stop the gravy train," or to limit the spending and waste that he perceives to be taking place at city hall.Since being elected as mayor three years ago, Ford’s off-duty activities and his city hall work have both made for many headlines.Last year, Ford faced a conflict-of-interest challenge that nearly forced him from office. But he won an appeal that allowed him to keep his job.Ford also faced an unrelated defamation lawsuit, which was eventually dismissed in court.A noted football fan, Ford for a time coached a high-school team, which some critics said was a distraction from his mayoral duties. He no longer coaches that team, as the school board decided to seek a replacement after reviewing remarks Ford made in a television interview.Ford’s driving has also made headlines at time, including an occasion in which he admitted he was "probably" reading documents while driving his Cadillac Escalade on the Gardiner Expressway. The mayor then refused calls to get himself a driver, though he recently decided to do so.He has made it clear that he intends to run for re-election next year, though Ford has said he expects the next municipal campaign will be "a bloodbath."So far, Coun. Karen Stintz, the TTC chair, is the only current of member of council to definitively state an intention to run against Ford next year.David Soknacki, a former city councillor, is also expected to run for mayor in 2014.
Ford, now 44, is a father of two young children.
