WHAT THE PAPERS SAY: Crack-smoking mayor stripped of powers

BOB FORD, the crack-smoking Mayor of Toronto, knocked over a grandmother and accused his detractors of a "coup d'etat" as his powers were stripped away from him reports The Week on November 19.

As Toronto City Council yesterday voted to reduce Ford's budget and staff, he charged across the chamber floor and accidentally knocked over Pam McConnell, a city councillor and grandmother, leaving her with a bruised lip.

Ford caught her and later apologized, but McConnell was visibly shaken. "This is the seat of democracy, it is not a football field," she said. "I just wasn't ready."

The mayor said he had run over because he saw that his brother, Doug Ford, also a city councillor, was involved in an altercation.

The Times described the council session as "one of the stormiest in memory" as the mayor argued with colleagues and members of the public. Cries of "shame, shame" came from the gallery, as Ford walked around the room mocking his critics.

In a plea to councilors as they went to vote, he appeared to liken his situation to that of US President George Bush warning Saddam Hussein not to attack Kuwait in 1990.

However, the council voted overwhelmingly in favour of slashing Ford's office budget by 60 per cent and allowing mayoral staff to join the deputy mayor, Norm Kelly. Ford now effectively has no legislative power, but retains his title and ability to represent Toronto at official functions.

The move comes after revelations that Ford had smoked crack cocaine during a "drunken stupor" and repeated outbursts of erratic behavior.

The mayor gave no indication that he would co-operate with the councilors and instead vowed to fight them in court and run for re-election in October 2014.

Councillor John Filion said Ford had been given many chances to change his behaviour and seek help. "The mayor unfortunately has chosen the path of denial," said Filion. "Now it's time to take away the keys." ·