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You have to look out for your friends, one supposes. How else to explain Mayor Naheed Nenshi wading into Ontario politics with his criticism of Premier Doug Ford’s decision to reduce the number of Toronto city councillors from 47 — that’s right, 47 — to 25.

Nenshi is someone who never lacks an opinion, no matter what the subject is, but it’s strange that he felt the need to leap to the defence of Toronto civic politicians, who now that there will be fewer of them, will save the public $25 million over the next four years.

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Nenshi says he stands with Toronto Mayor John Tory in opposing the move, calling the reduction in the number of politicians “a direct affront on democracy” and “tinpot dictator stuff.”

“I would strongly suggest and support Mayor Tory in saying we’ve got to find a legal answer to what the limits of provincial authority are here.

“It’s not just for Toronto, it’s for all of us,” said Nenshi in theatrical fashion.