Returning briefly to his old role as council’s isolated contrarian, Mayor Rob Ford reprised an annual tradition on Tuesday and voted against six widely popular community development grants programs.

The grants programs give taxpayer money to a broad variety of community organizations. Some work to prevent violence. Others focus on improving the lives of seniors, immigrants, the disabled and the poor. Some provide recreation services the city doesn’t.

The community development and recreation committee, chaired by Ford ally Councillor Giorgio Mammoliti, had recommended that the city give 259 groups a total of $7.2 million. The allocations were about to sail through council without even a vote when Ford stood to say he wanted to be recorded as opposing all of them — as he regularly did as a proudly frugal councillor.

When council then voted on the programs, Ford found himself nearly as lonely as he was under former mayor David Miller. He lost 43-1 in votes on the first four programs, 42-2 on the fifth, and 41-3 on the sixth.

Ford did not respond to a question on his votes as he exited a brief news conference. Deputy Mayor Doug Holyday said Ford probably believes the grants are too costly.

But even Holyday voted against Ford; he said many of the groups receiving grants are “very, very good.” Left-leaning Councillor Janet Davis called Ford's decision “embarrassing” and “shameful.” And the leader of a grant recipient that works with troubled youth said Ford acted foolishly, even if his interest was saving money.

“The kind of expenditures that city council is passing for social programs to support marginalized communities and youth are going to save the city millions of dollars, without exaggeration. So if it’s about long-term savings, then this is definitely the better way to go,” said Eva Marszewski, executive director of Peacebuilders International Canada, which will receive $35,600 this year. “I think it’s incredibly short-sighted not to support these programs.”

Mammoliti said the grants “have been very good in the past.” But he said the city now faces a fiscal crisis, and he applauded Ford for refusing to budge.

“He’s been very consistent on grants. And I commend him for being consistent. He’s not a hypocrite,” Mammoliti said.

Ford was the only vote against grants to violence-prevention programsand to groups running small community events and festivals. He was also alone in opposing grants for groups working on “race relations, gender equity, literacy, disability, sexual orientation, and Aboriginal affairs” and grants for recreation activities “that address gaps in available services.”

Councillor Doug Ford joined his brother in voting against the most expensive program, the $4.7 million Community Service Partnerships. The program gives money to 78 groups that “advance council’s strategic goals” by working with “vulnerable, marginalized and high-risk communities.”

Councillor Frank Di Giorgio and both Fords voted against Services Development Investment Program grants, which help “non-traditional” grassroots groups in priority neighbourhoods.

The community development grants are separate from other city grants programs, such as those for arts groups.

GROUPS FORD REJECTED

A sample of the 259 organizations that will receive community grants this year, all of which Mayor Rob Ford voted against:

Crime Prevention Association of Toronto

Variety Village

Argonaut Rowing Club

Community Association for Riding for the Disabled

Etobicoke Services for Seniors

Rexdale Women’s Centre

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The Canadian Hearing Society

Afghan Women’s Organization

Council of Agencies Serving South Asians

Learning Disabilities Association of Toronto District

Cabbagetown Youth Centre

Glebe Manor Lawn Bowling Club

Native Child and Family Services of Toronto

Somali Immigrant Aid Organization

Weston Minor Hockey League

Malvern Family Resource Centre

New Canadian Community Centre

Iranian Fire Festival and Celebrations Committee

Parkdale Community Health Centre

Canadian Tamil Youth Development Centre