Former Ontario premier Mike Harris expected to speak at Rob Ford funeral

Former Toronto mayor Rob Ford will be laid to rest Wednesday, following two days of visitation at city hall.

Mike Harris is expected to be one of the speakers at Ford’s funeral. The former Ontario premier was known to be a close adviser to Ford during his time as Toronto’s mayor.

Editor’s note: GlobalNews.ca will have full coverage of the proceedings Wednesday morning beginning at 11 a.m.

Several members of Ford’s family will also speak, including his brother Doug and his children, Dougie and Stephanie.

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Ford coached football at Don Bosco Catholic Secondary School from 2002 to 2013 and one of his former players, Clinton Leonard, is also expected to be a part of the ceremony.

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Doug Ford will join his other brother, Randy, and nephew, Michael, as pallbearers. Other pallbearers will include childhood friend Dom Sgambelluri and two of his former city hall staffers, Amin Massoudi and Dan Jacobs.

READ MORE: Former Toronto mayor Rob Ford dies after 18-month struggle with rare form of cancer

Ford’s funeral will begin at noon Wednesday at Cathedral Church of St. James. The Archbishop of Toronto, Colin Johnson, will preside over the ceremony.

Commuters should expect traffic disruptions in the downtown core from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Ford’s body is expected to leave city hall at 11 a.m after a ceremony before heading to the church.

Hundreds of mourners filed past Ford’s casket to pay their respects and say their goodbyes on Monday and Tuesday.

READ MORE: Rob Ford funeral on Wednesday after 2 days’ visitation at city hall

Mayor John Tory, who gave permission for Ford to lie in repose at city hall, was first to pause quietly at his predecessor’s casket, then shake hands with relatives.

The controversial political figure died on Mar. 22 after an 18-month battle with an aggressive and rare form of cancer.

He leaves behind his wife Renata and two young children. He was 46.

– With a file from the Canadian Press