

Chris Fox, CP24.com





Members of city council are paying tribute to Rob Ford today as they hold their first meeting since his death.

The meeting got underway with Mayor Tory tabling a motion of condolence to Ford’s family and calling for a moment of silence.

Numerous councillors then rose to pay tribute to Ford, whose empty desk was adorned with flowers and a photo that was taken during his mayoral tenure.

All told, the tributes lasted for about 90 minutes.

“He has made us laugh, he got us frustrated and yesterday he made us cry,” Coun. Giorgio Mammoliti said. “We had all these emotions because of that large and wonderful individual but while we were angered and maybe questioning his tactics in this chamber, he was out there building a movement. He didn’t pretend to be a diplomat; he just cared about getting the job done.”

Ford, 46, passed away last week following a battle with a rare and aggressive form of soft tissue cancer.

Reflecting on his legacy at city hall, Mayor Tory said that Ford taught himself and other decision makers an important lesson about what it means to govern.

“By taking positions that challenged the status quo, Rob Ford also challenged all of us,” he said. “I will continue to carry forward what Rob Ford and others have taught us, which is respect for taxpayers and their money.”

Dozens of councillors spoke

During Thursday’s council meeting dozens of councillors got up to share a few kind words about Ford.

Some were supporters of his but many who spoke shared little in common politically with the former mayor.

“We don’t get to choose our friends; it is just something that happens. There are innate qualities about certain individuals that you end up liking. You can agree with them, you can disagree with them but that doesn’t change that fundamental element. Rob Ford I believe was that kind of person,” Coun. Anthony Perruzza said, noting that he considered the late councillor a friend more so than a colleague. “He had this inert boyish quality about him that you rarely ever saw.”

“What I think I learned from Rob Ford is the word generosity. He always found a way to give some of his time to everybody,” Coun. Stephen Holyday, whose father Doug served as Ford’s deputy mayor, added. “It didn’t matter how big or small the problem was. I think if he had a playbook in life like you did with a football team, page number one would be to be generous with your time.”

Ford remembered for kindness

Much was made of Ford’s combative style and penchant for losing votes 44-1 on Thursday but at the same time, councillors also took a moment to remember what he was like away from the glare of the cameras.

“Rob loved music. He loved football but he really loved music,” Coun. Michael Thompson said. “I remember one time we were talking about bringing some performers into the council chamber. The staff were not crazy about it but Rob was adamant that it was going to be done. I called up (Reggae musician) Jay Douglas and I said ‘Can you come into play?’ and he said ‘Yes, what do you want me to play?’ so I asked Rob what his favourite song was and he said ‘Can he play One Love?’ That is what Rob was all about. He was about one love.”

City council will wait until their next meeting on May 3 to declare Ford’s Ward 2 seat vacant, according to Mayor Tory’s office.

At that point, council will have 60 days to decide whether to appoint someone to fill the seat or hold a by-election. If council opts to hold a byelection, the city clerk would then have another 60 days to set a nomination deadline for the byelection. Voters in Ward 2 would then head to the polls 45 days after that.

Discussing the decision to wait to declare Ford’s seat vacant, Deputy Mayor Denzil Minnan-Wong said most on council agreed that it was the respectful thing to do.

Coun. Shelly Carroll, meanwhile, said that the extra time is needed to determine to prepare for a potential byelection.

“It really becomes up to the clerk as to how quickly they can put together all the machinery of the election and how quickly they can run a proper election,” she said.

In an interview with CP24 Thursday afternoon, Doug Ford said he awaits council's decision on when a byelection will take place.

"I know what Rob believes, that Ward 2, needs to be represented and that the people of Etobicoke North needs to be represented and we’ll see what council decides," he said.

But sooner is better than later, Ford said. He also shied away from saying whether he would step forward as a candidate.

"We’ll see, but I just want to make the priority Renata and the kids and we’ll let council decide if they’re going to move this forward," he said.

"Or it could be I hear all the way to Oct. 15, and that’s a long time for the people of Etobicoke North not to have a voice."