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A panel of former mayors on how Toronto city council should move forward

The gallimaufry at Toronto city hall is still a story in search of an ending. Today we ask some former Canadian Mayors how they would deal with the present one....
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The Current21:58A panel of former mayors on how Toronto city council should move forward - Nov 18, 2013
The gallimaufry at Toronto city hall is still a story in search of an ending. Today we ask some former Canadian Mayors how they would deal with the present one.


How does Toronto move forward?

On Friday, Toronto city council voted overwhelmingly to strip power from Mayor Rob Ford. It removed his authority over emergency situations and stripped his power to hire and fire the deputy mayor or appoint members of his executive committee. Even the mayor didn't really argue with the logic.

I completely understand the situation my colleagues are in. If it wouldn't cost the taxpayers an arm and a leg which obviously it's going to I would have done the same thing. If I woulda had a mayor acting the way I've been conducting myself, I would have done the exact same thing.Toronto Mayor Rob Ford

Rob Ford's brother, councillor Doug Ford was one of the few to stand by the mayor:

Precedent or not. It seems the actions of City Council will be enough to keep the province out of the mess for now.

My concern is that city council function and the decisions taken this morning demonstrate that City Council is determined to function.Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne

In order to function... today, council is expected to vote on another motion that would further remove the mayor's power.

To talk more about the challenges facing a municipality in crisis, we were joined by three former mayors of Canadian cities.

  • Larry O'Brien was the mayor of Ottawa.

  • John Sewell is the former mayor of Toronto.

  • Shannie Duff served as mayor and deputy mayor of St John's.

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This segment was produced by The Current's Josh Bloch, Marc Apollinio, Liz Hoath and Lara O'Brien.

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