ABOVE: Is city hall comparable to a daycare? Carey Marsden reports.
TORONTO – Toronto Mayor Rob Ford made a forced apology Tuesday for a remark he made during a heated exchange at a city council meeting Monday night.
Ford was heard saying “only the corrupt ones get to stay,” after council speaker Frances Nunziata asked councillor Giorgio Mammoliti to leave the chambers for interrupting a motion vote.
At the start of council Tuesday morning, Ford retracted his comments but only formally apologized after Councillor John Parker stood up, unsatisfied with the mayor’s response.
“I withdraw the comment that I made last night,” said Ford in response. “What do you want me to say? I’m so sorry. I’m super, super, super, super sorry.”
The council meeting abruptly ended Monday night just before 8 p.m. after Mammoliti objected to city staff commenting on councillors’ motions.
Watch: Rob Ford delivers another classic apology in council chambers
Mammoliti, who was also asked to apologize during Tuesday’s meeting, remained defiant.
“I will not withdraw my comments towards city staff,” said Mammoliti. “If I offended anybody, I’m sorry, but I’m here to represent my constituents.”
Councillor Adam Vaughan was also asked to apologize for allegedly calling someone a moron during Monday night’s council session.
Decorum at city council was made a priority by Nunziata following a letter she sent last week to councillors reminding them to respect proper code of conduct following November’s ruckus meetings.
Monday’s meeting is the first time all councillors have been inside chambers since Mayor Ford was stripped of most of his powers last month.
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