• Layton tribute: Councillor Mike Layton told Toronto council his late father, Jack, would want them to vote in the interests of their residents and the city “without fear of retribution.”

Layton received an extended standing ovation for his speech, one of a series of tributes to the federal NDP leader, who died last month, at the start of Wednesday’s meeting.

Layton recalled his father’s work on environmental issues, homelessness, affordable housing and more. He thanked Torontonians for the impromptu chalk tributes drawn all over Nathan Phillips Square after his father’s death. “Your spontaneous creativity and your kindness transformed this frequently apathetic building into an inspiration to all Torontonians, and a symbol of hope for our present and our future,” he said.

Layton ended with a passionate call for a new spirit of co-operation in a city hall riven by fighting between political factions, and a focus on building “a just city, a hopeful city, a loving city.”

“(Jack) would want us to use facts, and not threats; he would want us to use vision and not fear as the driving force for change; he would want us to set a new tone.”

Layton said his father’s true passion was building consensus.

“The tone would have all members of this chamber voting in the best interests of their residents and our city and nothing more, without fear of retribution. …

“I would also suggest that the outpouring from the public was a message to all politicians that we need to work to build the city, because people will be behind us.

“Let us not settle for mediocrity that ends up dismantling what is good about our city. Hope is better than fear.”

• Puppy mills: Council voted unanimously to require that pet stores obtain their cats and dogs from humane societies, shelters and rescue groups. The aim is to block retailers from dealing with puppy mills.

“The goal is to stop animal cruelty,” said Councillor Glenn De Baeremaeker. “I think this is a wonderful day in the city of Toronto for anyone who loves cats, dogs, puppies, and wants to ensure animals are treated humanely.”

Council was told the move should cut the number of unwanted pets, prevent people from buying pets that turn out to be sick, and discourage impulse purchases.

Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading...

“People should be buying from legitimate sources, not fly-by-night operations, and I think this bylaw does that,” De Baeremaeker said.

Council directed city officials to work to with the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to uncover illegal puppy and kitty mills. Residents will be urged to speak up if they know of any such operations in the city.