Premier Kathleen Wynne is urging embattled Mayor Rob Ford to “pay very close attention” to those city councillors urging him to step down.

In her most pointed comments yet on Ford, who has admitted to using crack cocaine and is under police investigation for his connections to an alleged drug dealer, Wynne hailed city council for taken action Friday morning.

“The concern for me is that city council can function and it seems today that that’s exactly what’s happening,” she said, referring to two overwhelming council votes to politically emasculate the mayor by stripping him of some powers.

MORE ON THESTAR.COM

Wynne addresses Rob Ford crisis

Rob Ford crisis: Wynne lays out conditions for intervening

VIDEO: Premier Kathleen Wynne on Rob Ford

“I see that city council is making decisions and they are determined . . . to find a way to make that work,” the premier said at a Council of the Federation meeting in Toronto.

On Thursday, she had warned her minority Liberal government was open to giving the city “new tools” to deal with the rogue mayor and would seek the support of Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak and NDP Leader Andrea Horwath.

Horwath was noncommittal while Hudak, a close political ally of Ford, has refused to comment.

But a provincial intervention may not come to pass because councillors are flexing their muscles against Ford, who has also acknowledged drinking and driving and buying illegal drugs while in office.

“The actions this morning demonstrate that city council is determined to function,” said Wynne.

“What’s happening at city hall right now is very fluid and I think that the mayor needs to pay very close attention to the messages that he’s getting from his councillors and my hope is that he would take his lead from their advice.”

When reporters noted the advice includes some councillors urging Ford to resign, Wynne was pointed.

“He needs to pay close attention to what he’s being advised by the councillors and the people around him,” the premier said.

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

Wynne, who represents the Toronto riding of Don Valley West, also tried to assuage a city unaccustomed to being internationally ridiculed as it is now. U.S. and British journalists are camped out at city hall — along with an army of local reporters — and American late-night comedy shows mock Ford on a daily basis.

“I believe Toronto is not defined by one person, by one politician. We have to be very careful that we not allow ourselves to be defined by this,” she said.

Still, the premier expressed sympathy for Ford and his family, given the mayor’s drinking and admitted illegal drug use.

“I’m very concerned about the human element of this. A person who is struggling in his life, as far as I can tell, and so I hope that he will look after himself.”

Read more about: