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“We were concerned that the province would not give us the help we need unless we declare a state of emergency,” Mr. Livey said. “But that turned out to not be the case.”

Mr. Livey said resources coming from the province include diesel fuel to power generators supplying community housing, along with forestry crews and forestry trucks.

Mr. Ford told reporters Monday that he has not spoken to Kathleen Wynne, the premier. Ms. Wynne did speak to Mr. Kelly on Sunday.

On Monday at least four councillors — Kristyn Wong-Tam, Mike Del Grande, Joe Mihevc and Josh Matlow — called on Mr. Ford to declare a state of emergency.

“We need leadership instead of people jockeying for position,” said Mr. Del Grande, the mayor’s former budget chief. “I want to make sure there is no oneupsmanship.”

But Councillors Denzil Minnan-Wong and Mark Grimes, neither of whom had electricity in their homes on Monday, said a state of emergency was not necessary.

“Calling a state of emergency will not make the lights go on any faster or turn on my furnace any sooner,” said Mr. Minnan-Wong. “The public service is getting it done. They are applying all the skill. Another politician or a different politician being involved isn’t going to change anything.”

When asked what the mayor had to say to hundreds of thousands of Toronto residents who remained shivering in darkened, homes on Monday evening, as the temperature plunged just before Christmas, Mr. Ford replied: “We are working as quick as we can. This was a tremendous storm. Everyone behind me is working non-stop. We’ve maybe had five hours of sleep. I am very, very proud. I know that we are doing a fantastic job. We are going to get through it.”