TORONTO – Mayor Rob Ford brushed off criticisms, touted his record and reiterated his pledge for a small property tax increase during his speech at Casa Loma Thursday.
The mayor spoke at the opening of the city’s Signature Series event that brought approximately 500 members of the city’s business community to Casa Loma. Ford repeated claims he has saved the city over $1 billion (despite criticism the numbers don’t add up).
The night’s first speaker, Councillor Michael Thompson, took the opportunity to criticize the mayor by assuring the audience the “irresponsible behaviour of one or two people” will “heal over time.”
“I want to assure you that we will not let the personal failings of one or two people to… drag our city down,” he said. “The recent events and media events at city hall will not in fact have a long term negative effect on our city’s economy.”
Ford brushed off Thompson’s comments however by thanking him for his “kind words.”
The mayor also joked about council’s decision to slash his budget.
“We have reduced councillors’ budgets by $6.4 million in the last three years,” he said. “And even more in the last three days.”
WATCH: Mayor Rob Ford jokes about his office budget being slashed.
On Monday, council voted overwhelmingly to strip the mayor of much of his budget, staff and powers, effectively making deputy mayor Norm Kelly the de-facto mayor.
Ford also took time to criticize councillors for not following his fiscal agenda.
WATCH: Mayor Rob Ford stands by his call for a 1.75 per cent property tax increase.
Budget Chief Frank Di Giorgio suggested earlier on Thursday that Ford’s billion-dollar plan to extend the Bloor-Danforth line to the Scarborough Town Centre makes it “very difficult” to have a sub-2 per cent tax increase.
The speech was the mayor’s first as a city official since allegations of drug and alcohol abuse began dominating headlines locally and internationally.
Speaking to reporters earlier Thursday afternoon, Kelly didn’t think there was any reason the mayor should not speak at public events, despite the ongoing scandals.
“Why not? It’s his right,” Kelly said. “It’s his role and council in its wisdom did not in any way shape or form attack his statutory powers.”
But, Kelly said, as time passes he expects “the invitations may be coming to my office” rather than Ford’s.
Kelly was also asked if the city could function with two people working as mayor. The former history teacher reached back to the Roman Empire to answer:
“You know the Romans built… one of the biggest empires in history, under the leadership of two consuls occupying the same seat. So if they can make it work, then we should be able to do it too,” he said. “Over a 600 year period the two consulship system worked.”
The Signature Sites event is hosted by the city along with Build Toronto, invest Toronto and the Toronto Port Lands company.
Comments