The education of Mayor Rob Ford can begin in earnest when city council meets Wednesday.

In less than a year in office, the mayor and his administration have shown a shocking disrespect for democratic processes, even as he claims to be a champion of the people. Council can rein him in.

Municipal governments are designed to seek consensus, not rule by fiat or subterfuge or threats. A mayor may have the moral authority that comes from being elected city-wide on a specific mandate, but he must consult the 44 city councillors if he is to depend on their support.

That is somehow lost on the mayor — until the past two weeks, when polling showed his approval rate falling. Now the administration is seeking compromise.

As such, the proposed cuts to city services and the administration’s ruinous attempt to put a megamall and monorail and Ferris wheel on the waterfront have served a useful purpose. They’ve awakened citizens and prompted people to think again about what they value about their city.

And they are saying, “Enough!”

Enough of the mayor’s brother, Doug Ford, bullying from behind the smile.

Enough of the exaggerations about gravy and waste.

Enough of the denigrating the poor and unionized workers.

Enough of driving a wedge between Torontonians, between those who see their neighbour as a citizen and those who see only a taxpayer.

Among city councillors the rebellion is already in progress — thanks to the courageous stand by rookie Councillor Jaye Robinson. Risking her seat on the executive committee and the wrath of the Fords, Robinson rejected the new waterfront plan.

Shortly after, three more Ford allies, Councillors Karen Stintz, Michelle Berardinetti and John Parker, joined Robinson.

Suddenly, Ford needed to bag eight of 10 non-aligned votes from council’s “mushy middle” to carry the waterfront vote.

As public outrage swelled, he quickly lost Councillors Josh Matlow, Mary-Margaret McMahon, Ann Bailão, Josh Colle and Chin Lee. Ford’s waterfront plan, hatched in secret and contrary to the one council approved with massive public input and acclaim, was doomed.

Doug Ford continues to twist arms, urging councillors to back his plan because the city needs to sell the lands and use the money for its depleted budget.

Some councillors were so terrified of the pressure that when they sought information and a briefing from Waterfront Toronto, they did so incognito, fearing reprisals.

Councillor Lee says Doug Ford tried to intimidate him into voting for this and other issues the administration wanted to implement. Doug threatened to unleash automated robo calls in Lee’s local ward to rally support against Lee. It has not worked. Rather it has emboldened the soft-spoken councillor, who says businessman Ford may be used to that kind of behaviour in the private sector, “But this is a public forum. None of us can be threatened like this.”

A year ago, city council overwhelmingly approved the environmental assessment for the Lower Don Lands, west of Leslie St., exactly where Ford wants to prop his amusement park. Three years ago, council gave Waterfront Toronto the right to lead revitalization on the waterfront, relegating the Toronto Port Lands Company to handling leases.

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Any compromise plan being hatched to have a city agency (TPLC) start meddling on the waterfront should be rejected as a devious attempt to derail the current plan. Councillors should send all proposals to Waterfront Toronto for a proper airing and study.

You don’t compromise with a bully. You kick him in the shin. Then, you start talking on equal footing.

Royson James usually appears Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Email: rjames@thestar.ca

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