City Council — November 2013

And we're go for Special Council Meeting I: FIRST BLOOD.

Councillor Thompson has a SaveToronto.ca petition calling for Ford to resign. 1,116 signatures. The people want resignation.

Mayor votes to accept that petition, because, hey, why not.

Ford asks a question with a "if I resign" hypothetical, which is a little surprising to hear.

Ford seems legitimately confused by what's being proposed here. Curious that he didn't get his own staff to explain it to him.

Councillor Doug Ford asks how much this will cost if it's challenged in court. Sorta depends on whether his brother challenges it.

Doug Ford brings up a hypothetical: if a councillor is caught drinking and driving, can council get rid of that councillor? Answer is no.

"So it's all right to do it to one but not the other. That's what I'm hearing," says Doug Ford. That is, in fact, not what he heard.

Rob Ford now asking if he has a conflict of interest on this matter. Clerk told him to ask his lawyer. Lawyer told him to ask the clerk.

"Jones, Jones... Relax, Jones," Rob says to Doug. I still like that they call each other "Jones."

Stintz now saying that Doug Ford's behaviour is "disruptive to this chamber." Asks Nunziata to give him a warning.

Ford now says he's been trying to call the Integrity Commissioner to get her read on whether he should declare a conflict.

(The Integrity Commissioner only works part time, because government is efficient.)

"Does this apply to everyone else who makes catcalls or is it just Doug Ford?" asks Doug Ford. Nunziata has warned him.

This should be a quick meeting from this point. No need for many speeches. Just get it done.

Ford says he has "no other options but to challenge this in court." That'll be #fordcourt 4, I think.

Ford says he could have removed the councillors on his executive committee, but did not take action. So that's good.

Ford believes that this is the best executive committee city hall has ever had. "I don't see a problem with this executive."

Ford says he can't support this move, but also that he "completely understands where they're coming from." A lot less swagger today.

"This will hurt the taxpayers at the end of the day." Ford says it'll take months to work through the court process.

And we're voting. Good and efficient. No drawn out speeches. Good stuff.

Motion carries: 39-3. Against: Ford, Ford, Shiner.

This motion was important, but it won't change much. Exec members were already speaking out against Ford pretty freely.

(Probably because Ford didn't have many options for replacement if he decided to fire and replace them.)

We are now set for Special Council Meeting II: BACK IN THE HABIT.

Nunziata decides that council does not need to sing O Canada again. So many government efficiencies today!

It might be time to retire it.

@GraphicMatt This week is really going to screw with your Ford Nation scorecard, isn't it?

So this meeting is mostly about whether Ford should retain the powers he has in a State of Emergency.

It's unlikely that Ford would have declared a State of Emergency just to mess with the city like Lex Luthor, but still.

Ford seems to be trying to argue that he's handled emergency situations okay thus far, so why take away this power?

Deputy Mayor Kelly will have powers in a state of emergency if this passes. He'll look at rising waters and shout, "THERE'S STILL DEBATE!"

Perruzza confirms with staff that the mayor would never have ability to just send out SWAT teams or fire trucks to do whatever.

Councillor Filion introduces the motion to strip the mayor of emergency powers. Again, I expect a quick vote.

Councillor Perruzza is speaking now. He carries his keys on a ring attached to his belt. That's pretty cool.

Perruzza, who now can't be fired as Chair of Community Development and Recreation, feels like council has done enough to limit Ford's powers

And here's Doug Ford. "Folks here don't have the moral authority," he says.

Doug also says that council lacks the "legal authority" to do this.

Doug Ford: "383,000 people didn't vote for the deputy mayor. They didn't vote for you councillors to take the powers..."

Doug Ford says he will also not use the phrase "coup d'etat" while using the phrase "coup d'etat."

Doug Ford goes on about double standards and precedents and the "court of public opinion."

Doug Ford says he "won't be here next term." Some applause.

Doug Ford also says that a dozen other councillors may not be here next term. "That's the people decision."

Doug says some councillors "may have a rude awakening on election day." And now his brother gets up to speak.

Mayor says he "would have done the same thing" if he was in council's shoes. "I'm not mad at anybody. I take full responsibility."

But Rob Ford also says he has to go to court and challenge this, and that costs taxpayer money.

"The taxpayers have to pay for a fortune for this," says Rob Ford. "Then resign!" says a helpful heckler.

Vote to strip Mayor Rob Ford of his powers during a state of emergency CARRIES 41-2. Opposed: Ford and Ford.

Raise your hand if you first thought today's Sun cover was a bizarre Pokemon reference. https://www.freedomforum.org/

John Parker recently resigned from the Budget Committee, and Janet Davis is making a pitch to replace him. Could pass. Brave New World.

Gord Perks is now asking that Doug Ford be removed from the chamber for refusing to follow the rules and apologize for her comments.

No fireworks, though. Nunziata just accepts a non-apology from Doug and things move on.

Council coming back soon to finish the regular agenda. 18 items left. 15 of them are being held by, well, you know.

It's come to this. Mayor Rob Ford is now accusing Speaker Frances Nunziata of not being impartial.

Councillor Lee points out city staff the Sheppard Subway was unwarranted, but Ford wanted to spend billions on that anyway.

"I'm going to hold every single item until my last dying day on this floor," says Rob Ford. And so we beat on.

Kind of a shame that @TorontoCouncil didn't upgrade to HD cameras before this week's council meetings.