Rob Ford: Ontario says Norm Kelly is in charge at City Hall
To Queen’s Park, Norm Kelly is king.
Municipal Affairs Minister Linda Jeffrey says as far as the provincial government is concerned the deputy mayor is now in charge at Toronto city hall.
“Logistically, based on the decision they made yesterday it would be Norm Kelly,” Jeffrey said Tuesday, referring to city council’s stripping Mayor Rob Ford of most of his power in the wake of the crack scandal.
That means when Premier Kathleen Wynne sits down with the city’s point person on issues as varied as subways and the Pan Am Games, Kelly would receive the invitation.
“Council made some decisions yesterday in another special meeting that provide clarity for them,” the minister told reporters
Asked if Ford would be allowed to attend official events, Jeffrey said: “Absolutely, he’s always welcome. I like all members of council. I’m happy to work with all of them.”
But sources close to Wynne confide it is unlikely the premier would ever again share a stage with the mayor. Last week, Wynne offered councillors “new tools” to sideline Ford if they wanted them and enjoys the backing of Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak to do so,
As for Ford’s declaration of “war” against the councillors who systematically took away his authority at an extraordinary meeting Monday and his threat to sue the city, Jeffrey shrugged.
“I’m not worried. Everyone has an opportunity to speak to legal counsel about decisions they think are fair or not fair. I guess the coming weeks will determine whether any action is taking place,” the minister said.
“Based on the advice I have received they took actions that were within their control and, certainly, I believe they received that legal advice yesterday,” she said.
“They took steps that were part of their delegation of power. They took measures that they felt were reasonable.”
Despite the apparent resolution, Jeffrey said the entire debacle has not been pretty.
“I don’t think anyone would believe that what’s been happening over the last few weeks are necessarily a good outcome. Council looked to the tools that they had at their disposal.”
NDP Leader Andrea Horwath, for her part, said it’s only right the province deal with the deputy mayor because that’s what council wanted.
“If Mr. Kelly is now the person who is the head action person when it comes to city of Toronto decision-making . . . then that’s the appropriate thing to do,” said Horwath.
