Ontario’s Wynne opens door to possibility of intervening in Ford situation - The Globe and Mail
Ms. Wynne said she would consult with other party leaders in view of achieving unanimous support for any move, noting the “extraordinary and unique nature” of the situation.
“If council were to clearly indicate that they lack the ability to function as a result of this matter, the province would respond to a request from council to be provided new tools depending on what that request might be,” Ms. Wynne said.
Councillor Janet Davis condemned what she called “distasteful, hateful, misogynist” language used by the mayor, but said she would not ask him to apologize. “I do not want to hear any more from him.”
Councillor Giorgio Mammoliti, a Ford ally, said unless the mayor announced by the end of the day that he was taking a leave of absence, he would drop his support for him.
“I will say to him very directly, very publicly right now: ‘You need treatment, go now. You need intervention, go now. If you don’t do that by the end of the day, you have lost me.’ “ Councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong also said that the mayor is “spiraling out of control,” and needs to resign.
He also called on Premier Kathleen Wynne to intervene. City Council does not have power to remove the mayor.
“I hope the province is watching. I hope the premier is watching. I don’t want to set a precedent but if a precedent ever were to be set, it would be today because the mayor of this city embarrassed us all today.”
Before the mayor’s rant, Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly said Mr. Ford is losing his moral authority to govern the city.
Mr. Kelly reiterated calls for the disgraced mayor to take a leave of absence, saying his moral authority has been undermined by the latest batch of allegations of erratic behaviour.
