City Council — November 2013

Council Chamber as packed as I’ve ever seen it. Word on the street: this will be kinda dull, really.

CP24 reporter, doing play by play: “The National Anthem, sung.”

Rob Ford now reading proclamation for the Year of Truth and Reconciliation. Right.

Mike Layton now speaking on Truth and Reconciliation. Thanks the media for turning out in force for this.

(Mike Layton also boasts a powerful mustache, as you’d expect him to.)

Now various wranglings over the order paper. We’re still a ways away from any kind of action.

Matlow moves to refer his inquiry re: city letterhead boilerplate to Ford’s exec committee. Passes 41-1 (Cho)

So it’s come to this. Trapped in the council chambers. No food. No water. Only order papers to keep us warm.

Need the mayor to do a scrum outside his office to clear out the crowd a bit. http://t.co/gTHgCalt7D

Ford has held the item relating to the Bloor bike lanes. Minnan-Wong says he’ll oppose it. Cyclists might want to be here for that debate.

Jaye Robinson reads letter outlining concerns regarding Rob Ford. “Our city’s reputation has been damaged.”

Letter asks Ford to take a leave of absence. Signed by lots of council members.

Councillors who didn’t sign include Peter Leon, Doug Ford, Mammoliti.

“Now let’s get on with city business,” concludes Robinson. A good letter.

And here we go. About to start the agenda. Minnan-Wong motion up first. Not expecting a ton of questions for Ford.

Mammoliti has questions to staff re: Ford motions. He wants to know if council can make someone step down. Answer is no.

Minnan-Wong rises to say Rob Ford physically blocked him “in a threatening way” when he just tried to approach the speaker.

Yelling! Cries of SHAME! Doug Ford! Ten minute recess.

Mammoliti says he'll move a motion to refer Minnan-Wong's Ford item to the mayor's office. Good luck with that.

At least two Ford supporters in gallery around me. Lots of "He's just a man!", "It's his personal life!"

And we're back. Nunziata will rule on Minnan-Wong's point of privilege and whether the mayor needs to apologize.

Nunziata says she didn't hear Ford threaten, but other members of council indicate they did hear it. Nunziata asks Ford to apologize.

Ford rises and says he wasn't threatening. "I asked him to take his seat." Ford: "I did not threaten him."

Ford says he's not going to apologize. Same as it ever was.

Minnan-Wong says he's speaking on behalf of council. He says Ford showed a "fundamental lack of understanding" for how council operates.

We're going back and forth on this. "There's nothing to apologize for when I'm following the rules and he is not," says mayor.

Nunziata again asks Ford to apologize. "Apologize for following the rules?" says Ford. "I don't think there's an apology necessary!"

This is the weirdest hill to die on.

"If I did something wrong, I would apologize," says Ford. Well, maybe after five months of denial, he would.

Ford accidentally says "I'm sorry" when arguing his point. Chamber erupts into applause. "That's all I wanted you to say," says Nunziata.

Councillor Thompson wants to know what the "true rules" are for this council chamber. Wants to know if members are allowed to move around.

Now Councillor Parker with a Point of Order. He also wants to know what the deal is with Nunziata's ruling.

So the Deputy Speaker is asking the Speaker to clarify her ruling about whether councillors can move around the chamber during debates.

"I asked the mayor to apologize and he apologized," says Nunziata. Gets a big laugh. Good gags this week.

Del Grande is first to ask questions to the mayor. "Mr. Mayor, you've said many times that you know how to meet a payroll." Ford: "I do."

Del Grande asks Ford what he would do if Ford caught an employee sleeping on the job. Ford says his business would deal with it privately.

Del Grande brings up the recent sleeping employee incident, where Ford said photographed sleeping employee and manager be fired.

"So basically, you would not show any kind of compassion for the employee?" asks Del Grande.

On the sleeping employee, Ford says he was just listening to the Chair of Parks, who happens to be the esteemed Giorgio Mammoliti.

Ford on drunken ACC incident: "I said it would never happen again, and It has never happened again at the Air Canada Centre."

Del Grande: "Do you expect more of others than you do of yourself?" Ford says he expects people to show up on time and "be straight."

Ford said he has "always been straight" at work, e.g. not inebriated during work hours. Not sure surveillance documents would back that up.

Minnan-Wong questioning the mayor now. "Do you still have zero tolerance for drugs, guns and gangs." Ford: "Absolutely."

Minnan-Wong asks if Ford has purchased illegal drugs in the last two years. Long pause. "Yes, I have," says Ford. Minnan-Wong sits down.

Ford says he was elected to save taxpayer money. "I can prove every dime that I've saved." Says he's saved more money than any mayor.

Ford says he's made "personal mistakes." "It was in my personal life. I sincerely apologize. I understand the embarrassment I caused."

Ford says he can't change the past. This is hitting a lot of squares on Rob Ford Apology Bingo.

Michael Thompson asks if Ford is saying he violated the Council Code of Conduct. "In what respect?" asks Ford. Thompson repeats question.

"I don't have the Code of Conduct memorized," says Ford. "I think we went through this over the football foundation - I was in court."

"I might have -- yes -- broken the Code of Conduct," says Ford. "I think we've all made mistakes."

Ford says it's unfortunate his mistakes were exposed. Says this is humiliating and degrading. "I wasn't forced to admit what I did."

Councillor Thompson now asks Ford about the alleged crack house he was photographed in front of. "Did you ever report that address?"

"That is not a crack house," says Ford. "Then what is it?" asks Thompson. Ford says it's a house with a family.

"Have you been into that house?" asks Ford. "I have no interest in being in that house. I am not a crack user," replies Thompson.

Surprised Councillor Thompson, a longtime mayoral ally, is coming after Ford like this. Not pulling his punches.

Ford: "I am not leaving here." Ford says he has one of the best attendance records ever.

Councillor Cho again brings up the sleeping employee. "If he sincerely sincerely apologized, would you let him keep the job?"

Ford: "I've been inebriated a number of times, as you know, and I've apologized."

(Ford uses "straight" as a synonym for "sober", to be perfectly clear.)

Ford says there are "a few members of council that got charged with criminal offences this year." Says they didn't get a "public flogging."

Councillor Mammoliti rises and says he is sorry that Ford is going through this "turmoil."

Mammoliti: "Mr. Mayor, do you think you have an addiction problem with alcohol?" Ford: "Absolutely not."

Ford also denies having an "addiction problem" with drugs and other substances.

Mammoliti asks Ford if he thinks his behaviour might indicate he has an addiction problem.

Ford: "I can understand how people could perceive my behaviour." But Ford says he is not an alcoholic or drug addict.

Councillor Mammoliti, in a somber tone: "Do you recognize that there are a few of us that really do want to help you?"

Ford says he didn't drink or use drugs because of stress, but just because of "stupidity."

Mammoliti: "In Ward 7, we've spent 15 years trying to get rid of gangbangers." He says people are really concerned about Ford's associations

Ford brings up the picture of him in front of alleged crackhouse. "I am not part of gangbangers," says Ford. "I do not support 'em."

Mammoliti wants the mayor sit down with family and colleagues who want to help him, and work through this.

Ford says he has talked to his family and professionals. "Actions speak louder than words. I've apologized and I want to move on."

Mihevc asks Ford if it's true he's not cooperating with police. Ford points out his lawyer, says that's the advice he's given.

Mihevc asks Ford if he gets that the Chief Magistrate of Toronto not cooperating with police makes for bad optics.

Ford again says that he's just listening to his lawyer. "I can't get in to what's before the courts."

Ford says Dennis Morris is the "top criminal lawyer in Canada." I am suddenly concerned for the state of criminal law.

Ford says he supports the police "more than anyone." But then clarifies he supports "front-line officers."

Ford says he has been a positive role model for kids who are "down and out."

Shiner asks if Ford has admitted all of his problems. Ford: "There might be a coat hanger left in my closet. I don't know what's left."

Shiner: "Will you get help?" Ford: "I'm not an addict of any sorts. I'm not quite sure why you say I need help."

If this was a novel about addiction, critics would say the main character is too one dimensional.

Ford: "There is no need for me to take a leave of absences. I'm returning my calls, going to committees, watching every single dime."

Ford: "I'm not missing a day of work. I never have. I never will."

Ford keeps bringing up his attendance record, so here's the last thing I wrote about that. Includes a chart. http://metronews.ca/voices/ford-for-toronto/775144/rob-ford-council-attendance-still-not-so-good/

Fletcher asks if Ford was drinking and driving the night of his drunken Danforth incident. Ford says no. Also says no drugs involved.

Councillor De Baeremaeker asks if Ford has ever "assaulted any of his staff." Ford thinks about it, then says no.

Ford says "the media was completely wrong" about media reports re: St. Patrick's Day. Reports came direct from security staff report.

Crisanti now asking staff if any city services have been disrupted due to Ford scandals. "Simply answer: no," says City Manager.

It's the "Toronto still exists and a plague of locusts hasn't descended, how bad can the mayor be?" argument.

And that's all the questions for Ford. As expected, no questions from Ford's major opponents on the left.

Minnan-Wong delivering his prepared speech. Gets heckled by Doug Ford.

"Things aren't fine," says Minnan-Wong, points to Star article re: Toronto's reputation suffering in the wake of crack scandal.

Minnan-Wong: "I'm so tired of getting up every morning and wondering, 'What will it be today?'"

Minnan-Wong refers to the need to "rein in an ego that has been let off the leash."

Minnan-Wong speaks of the need for an adult to appear and draw a strong moral line.

Minnan-Wong: "The answer is clear but it's not easy. First you have to do something - not nothing."

Minnan-Wong: "It is crystal clear that our future must change."

That was @DenzilMW's finest speech ever, and well delivered. I'd never vote for him for any reason, but, hey, good writing.

Minnan-Wong says he won't be amending his motion to include a clause asking the province to remove Ford, as province says they won't do it.

Doug Ford up now. "Everyone in this chamber is coming off holier-than-thou," he says. Then he asks Minnan-Wong if he's smoked marijuana.

"Yes or no - have you smoked marijuana?!" Doug Ford demands. Minnan-Wong says he has and sits down. A gavel is banged.

Doug Ford says the whole council has smoked pot and blah blah blah. Something about glass houses.

I'm not 100% sure Minnan-Wong copped to pot use in that exchange. It's all chaotic. Not that it matters.

And we're taking another recess. Lots of yelling.

And we're back. The Fords are gone. Karen Stintz is making a point of privilege, asking Doug Ford to withdraw remarks re: DMW and pot.

I think it's clear from this meeting that council needs to amend the procedural bylaws to appoint a new speaker for the remainder of term.

Mammoliti again calls today's events a "public flogging." He thinks Ford is "trying to reach out in his own way."

Mammoliti now brings forward his motion: "This item needs to be referred to the mayor."

"I don't believe him when he says he's not addicted," says Mammoliti. "I think that he's addicted to alcohol."

Now Gord Perks. He has a motion referring item to the Integrity Commissioner to determine how Ford might have broken the Code of Conduct

"As much as I ashamed of the mayor's behaviour, I am proud of the conduct of this council," says Councillor Perks. Another good speech.

And we're breaking for lunch. We'll be back for more at 2.

Motion to install stairs leading from council chambers to first floor of city hall.

Starting to answer questions on my reddit AMA now. Much less chaotic than the other thing. Follow here: https://www.reddit.com/r/toronto/comments/1qjh5o/i_am_matt_elliott_metro_toronto_columnist_toronto/

And I am back. Lost my seat. Let’s get on with the water budget.

We’ll be doing quick release items for a bit, before finishing the Ford item.

So here at city hall, councillors are deciding whether to censure the mayor. Elsewhere: more police documents.

Mammoliti is now talking about mandatory drug testing for all members of council. Ford: “Yes! Move that motion.”

Mammoliti is still on about drug testing. He demands to know if Perks smokes marijuana. He’s Mammoliti.

Minnan-Wong won’t support Perks’ referral motion. Wants council to send a message re: Ford today. No delays.

Left lining up to support referring the item to Integrity Commissioner. Vaughan speaking now. Smart move, politically.

The Ford narrative stipulates that there are roving bands of left-wingers who will do anything to embarrass him. This counters that.

Stintz: “Because of my mayor I had to explain to my nine year old what crack cocaine is.” She supports referral.

Mammoliti says he will support referral. Also says he really wants to see councillors subject to “random drug tests.”

Mammoliti “swears to the holy God” that Perks was under the influence when the two councillors had an altercation last year.

My sense is that council has the votes for referral. I have no idea how mayor will vote.

(Whole thing is further proof that @gordperks loves to move motions that screw with my council scorecard.)

The reality, though, is that neither council nor the integrity commissioner can force Ford to do much. Commish is at least apolitical.

Josh Colle comes out against referral, echoing Minnan-Wong's point that council needs to do something today.

Now Coun. Di Giorgio, who is also Ford's budget chief. He points out that any member of the public could bring this to integrity commish.

The budget chief own't support referral. Again, it's the whole why-delay-the-inevitable thing.

Matlow says he won't be supporting referral, because it's necessary to take action today. That makes the vote a little more interesting.

Speaking of which, they're voting now! Let's see how this shakes out.

Perks' motion to refer this whole mess to the Integrity Commissioner for a report due back in February FAILS 19-25. http://t.co/PS6bRSHR4t

(Fords voted against, curiously. Could argue that referral would have bought the mayor some time.)

Only two votes against re-opening the referral vote for another go at it. Guess who: http://t.co/QXwRMYGWgV

And so we're voting on referring this shebang to the Integrity Commish again. It now fails 18-26. http://t.co/5wt3UbR6Ln

Carroll refers to more information coming out: "about more mind-altering substances, about sex trade and the like!"

Councillor Ainslie has called the question. Nunziata says AInslie can't do that, as this is the mayor's key item and Ford wants to speak.

Now Councillor Mihevc wants to just allow Ford to speak so we can get all this done.

And here we go. Rob Ford is speaking.

Ford: "I don't want to move this motion, but I have to move this motion." He's got something..

Ford: "I'm not a rat." His motion: to introduce drug and alcoholic testing by December 1, 2013. He says he'll pay for the testing costs.

The motion draws laughter because, well, seriously. "What's wrong with it?" demands Mammoliti.

Nunziata, to her credit, rules the mayor's motion out of order. Suggests Ford can move a motion for drug testing at next meeting.

So Ford is challenging Nunziata's ruling. They're voting on that now. Expect a lopsided result.

Mayor Rob Ford: "No, no. Hair, not blood."

Chair is upheld, 38-5. So no vote on whether councillors should undergo mandatory drug testing.

Ford: "Apologizing and saying sorry - you can only say that so many times." He then says "I really effed up."

Ford again says "I'm not a rat." It's not entirely clear what he would be doing if he *was* a rat.

Ford: "I know I've done a great job at running the city, saving taxpayers money and putting us on the right path."

"I've never missed a meeting," Ford says. Again repeats that he's going to put a budget through a 1.75% property tax revenue increase.

Ford now giving his campaign speech. Because what better time to give a campaign speech than when council is about to censure you.

First we're on Carroll's motion, which asks the Integrity Commissioner to look into all this stuff. Passes 35-6. http://t.co/dQLVfs4EMy

First up: should council urge Ford to apologize for misleading people about the crack video? That PASSES 36-6.

Now: should council urge Ford to cooperate with the police? This one should fail. But it passes, 34-5. Some absences.

Now: should council ask Ford to apologize for writing a reference letter for Sandro Lisi? It passes 36-6.

And should Ford answer to Members of Council on this mess, and not the media? Yep, 33-9.

Finally: should Council urge Ford to take a leave of absence? That too carries. 37-5. Opposing: Rob, Doug, Augimeri, Parker, Perks.

Again, to recap: none of those motions are really binding, but they make for a good show.

The vote on Friday will have much more serious implications. Sometimes the sequel is better. https://secure.toronto.ca/tmmis/decisionBodyProfile.do?function=doViewMeetingNotice&meetingId=8588 (PDF)

Here we go again on our own.

From the ITO. "I do not do this and the Star sucks." That was kinda the gist of it, I suppose. http://t.co/TxysPToZuy

ITO: Price "basically badgered the Mayor to give him a job." He was then hired with a salary twice what most other staffers were making.

Mayoral staffer Nico Fidani on Garrison Ball: "The Mayor was talking very quickly and was almost incoherent. He had his children with him."

Mayor bringing his kids to the Garrison Ball is new to me. Really concerning implications.

Per ITO, Towhey "believes that the Mayor is an alcoholic" and that "the mayor consumed alcohol while at City Hall."

The footnotes may not be the most interesting part of these ITO docs, but they're definitely the least upsetting. http://t.co/teYf6grjT7

Huh.

A 2nd petitioned Council meeting has been called for Friday after the one called earlier. http://ow.ly/qNEk1

Okay.

Desperation Day.

I'd expect that Ford will never get around to suing the people he says he is going to sue.

The vast anti-Ford conspiracy now includes people who worked for the mayor and supported him for years. An elaborate ruse, I guess.

Other ideas: Strip him of salary. Set his office budget to zero. Vote to remove the lightbulbs in his office.

Actually, getting rid of Ford's City Hall parking spot might be interesting. They should try that.

He doesn't look a thing like Jesus.

Councillor @kristynwongtam: "If Toronto really wants the BIXI program to expand, then we need to stop removing bike lanes."

She points out that Jarvis Street had eight BIXI stations and council still went and removed the bike lanes.

Not a joke?

#BREAKING: @TOMayorFord and Doug Ford have a new show. Details coming soon at http://t.co/IIWQDTjaq7.

Rob Ford making announcement with family. I am not falling for this again.

Ford Announcement potentials: 1) I have a TV show now! 2) I am suing the Toronto Argos. 3) Hah, made you look.

Get your Rob Ford Apology Bingo cards ready: http://metronews.ca/voices/ford-for-toronto/847833/lets-play-rob-ford-apology-bingo/ - we could hit the full square.

They did!

Here's Ford, with Renata as his side.

Ford: "I want to apologize for my graphic remarks this morning." Says yesterday was the second worst day of his life, after father's death.

Ford says he's been under a lot of stress, and that the stress is of his own making.

Ford says yesterday's revelations "pushed him over the line" and he used "unforgivable language." Says the allegations in the ITO are lies.

Ford says today he acted on "complete impulse" with comments this morning. You think?

Ford says he's "taking accountability" and has met with professionals. "I do not wish to comment on the particulars of this support."

Ford says he's accepting responsibility for the challenges he's facing. "Please respect my family's privacy."

And -- seriously -- that's it. He leaves. No questions.

Can't Stop. Won't Stop.

Ford is coming through the crowd of media with his wife. I don't know why. "Mayor FORD, what is going ON?!"

Ford could have taken the back exit, but decided to push his way through the media and go out the front door. Amazing.

Councillor Mammoliti turns to CP24 cameras and makes a genuine plea to the people of Toronto: "Please, do not panic."

Media are demanding to speak to security guard Mike Toolaram's supervisor, saying they were aggressively pushed after Ford's conference.

.@KatieSimpson24's "Mayor FORD, what is going ON?!" is such a great soundbite. She says what we're all thinking.

HAIL ANTS

That is some mighty aggressive shoving, in my view.

@GraphicMatt Video here: https://vine.co/v/hTLgubYe5qX

Here's Premier Wynne: "The things we are seeing and hearing about Mayor Rob Ford are truly disturbing."

Wynne says it's "up to the municipal level of government to address the issues they face." Yeah.

Wynne says if council were to "clearly indicate" they can't function, and request province to step in, province would provide new tools.

Wynne: "Toronto is more than one politician. It's more than one government."

Wait, why did @JoshMatlow withdraw his relief line motion?

Fun!

If nothing else, hope today puts an end to that "And Rob Ford could easily win reelection!" talking point. Was never really true.

After all this, can council also call a fourth special meeting where they just chill out together and watch funny cat videos on YouTube?

Ford will immediately claim that he's still saving taxpayer money even with no office budget or staff. But still a good move.

Meanwhile, at City Hall, some guy is ranting about public housing in the council chamber.

Ford says we shouldn't build new housing until we fix our existing housing. Which reminds me of his anti-immigration policy from 2010.

(It was, basically: let's not accept any new people until we take care of people who are here.)

Agh, and Bailão decides to engage Ford and ask questions.

Plan for affordable housing in the East Bayfront carries 37-2. Against: Ford and Ford.

Bloor-Dupont Bikeway EA still on the agenda, held by Rob Ford. Maybe they can just approve it quick.

Mayor is holding majority of remaining agenda items, presumably under belief that if you hold on for one more day, things'll go your way.

Some angry guy in the council chambers now ranting about bike lanes.

"Why don't we do bike lanes on the 401?! This is absolutely nuts!" And so on.

This is total regression. He's the Ward 2 Councillor from Etobicoke again. The bright side: I think he might like it better this way.

"Every council meeting, we squander at least 20 million dollars," he says. Then: "Spending, Spending, Spending, Spending, Spending!"

(I think it was five 'spendings.' Don't quote me.)

When this motion passes on Monday, Rob Ford will effectively be mayor in name only: https://secure.toronto.ca/tmmis/decisionBodyProfile.do?function=doViewMeetingNotice&meetingId=8590 (PDF)

Good speech from @m_layton. Basically: cyclists are dying, we spent at least $350K removing Jarvis, we gotta do better.

Matlow rises and says he'll support the Bloor-Dupont bikeway EA, because it makes no sense to not even study it.

"Cyclists are taxpayers," says Councillor Bailão. Making amends.

Whoever's in charge of the city now is doing a good job.

Councillor Berardinetti says she was "sent down here" partially to remove the bike lanes on Birchmount and Pharmacy in her ward.

(But I think she's going to vote for this, so, hey, lay off for a sec.)

And we're voting on the Bloor-Dupont Bikeway EA. Remember: this doesn't mean we'll actually get bike lanes, but it's a start.

The Bloor-Dupont Bikeway EA PASSES 30-3. Against: Shiner, Di Giorgio, some guy. http://t.co/NGST1QL0t7

So weird that so many councillors voted against continuing the Bloor bikeway EA in 2011 but then voted for it today. http://t.co/jRSuOVG36L