A staunch Mayor Rob Ford ally regrets voting with Ford to quash debate over transit-funding taxes and will help the mayor’s opponents get the issue to city council.

Councillor Gary Crawford’s change of heart gives a boost to TTC chair Karen Stintz and others working to overrule Ford’s executive committee and get so-called “revenue tools” discussed at city council’s May 7-8 meeting.

“After careful consideration, I’ve decided to reconsider my vote at executive,” on Tuesday, Crawford told reporters summoned to his office on city hall’s second floor Thursday.

“I do feel that this is an incredibly important issue for the city with regard to transit, and it’s a discussion that has to happen at council.

“So I’m supporting and urging all of my colleagues to get this on the agenda of council so we can have a full, fulsome debate and discussion.”

Crawford was a deciding vote in the 6-4 decision to defer consideration of city manager Joe Pennachetti’s report — which recommends a sales tax, gas tax, parking levy and development charges — until May 28.

That is one day too late for Toronto to submit its views to the provincial Metrolinx transportation agency. Premier Kathleen Wynne says her government will impose region-wide levies to help fund $2 billion a year in transportation improvements and she wants to know which ones municipalities favour.

Crawford acknowledged to the Star on Wednesday that Ford and his staff intensely lobbied him to back the mayor, who says he can’t support new taxes while governments waste money. Ford also called the province’s consultation process “ass backwards.”

Crawford told reporters he had reservations Tuesday but “I do support the mayor.” Conversations with colleagues and input from “10 or 15” constituents helped convince him he voted the wrong way, Crawford said.

“At the end of the day I do feel that six individuals on executive should not be making a decision,” he said. “I really think that council, a full 45 members of council, need that opportunity to have that discussion.”

Putting the issue on the May 7-8 meeting agenda will require support of two-thirds of the council members present — 30 if all 45 are present.

Councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong has said he will be absent for the meeting which will also see debate on whether Toronto should host a downtown casino. It is unknown if Councillor Giorgio Mammoliti, recovering from brain surgery, will be at the meeting.

Regardless of whether full council has its say on levies to expand transit, the TTC board will debate Pennachetti’s report on May 24.

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