TORONTO – Rob Ford is banking on a shift in city council seats in the upcoming municipal election to push forward his fiscal agenda if re-elected as mayor.
“I predict there’s going to be about 15 new councillors to work with,” Ford told reporters during a media address at his campaign headquarters in Etobicoke Thursday morning.
“They’re going to have to listen to what the constituents have to say. There’s going to be a change in this city.”
Following a prepared speech on his plans to further rein in spending at the management level at city hall, Ford responded to questions about his leadership and whether he will be able to push forward his agenda if he regains the mayor’s chair in the fall.
“If the councillors aren’t willing to as simple as reducing this bottomless office budget, or general expense account they snuck through, we have to look at maybe electing new councillors,” said Ford.
Ford held a presser at the same location Tuesday afternoon pledging to keep property taxes below the rate of inflation if re-elected mayor.
But some critics doubt whether Ford’s strenuous relationship with several left-leaning members of councillors could hinder his agenda.
“I have never said that I would support NDP policies. I do not support high taxes and big government. With some of the councillors, I’m not going to get 45 votes.”
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“But like I did in my first term as mayor, I got the 30 votes — the 33 votes to get the garbage privatized, to get the car tax eliminated, getting budgets through.”
Voters head to the polls Oct. 27.
WATCH: Rob Ford promises to find even more savings if re-elected
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