Kendra Mangione, CTVNews.ca
Published Thursday, May 1, 2014 11:30AM EDT
Last Updated Thursday, May 1, 2014 2:26PM EDT
Despite a clause in city law that means Rob Ford could lose his seat if he's gone too long, the deputy mayor said it is unlikely that the Toronto mayor's leave of absence will result in termination.
Rob Ford has notified Toronto's city clerk that he would be taking a leave of absence, after suddenly announcing Wednesday night he would be seeking help for his problems with "alcohol and the choices he's made while under the influence."
But Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly told the media that the mayor's absence would not bring any substantial changes.
"I want to assure the residents and businesses of Toronto that council will continue to move forward steadily," Kelly told reporters at a noon-hour news conference Thursday.
"The events of the last few days will have no impact on government at city hall," Kelly said.
Ford has not been managing the city for months. Kelly has assumed many of the mayoral duties since he was given power by council on Nov. 18.
Since then, Ford has attended city council meetings, and retained his office and title, but he has been stripped of most of his powers.
While Ford takes a leave of absence, Kelly will take on the remaining mayoral duties, many of which are ceremonial, including the authority to declare a state of emergency, represent the city at official functions, and chair city council meetings.
Ford's letter to the clerk Thursday morning did not state a timeframe of when the leave will begin or end, saying only that he will offer an update on his status at a later date.
Speaking after Kelly, Toronto City Manager Joe Pennachetti told reporters that the mayor could theoretically lose his seat, depending on how long he is gone.
He said the city laws dictate that if the mayor misses three consecutive monthly council meetings (May, June and July), Ford's position could be considered vacant. Pennachetti added that the clause is invalid if city council can agree that the absence is justified.
"Any member of council is held to the same bylaw," Norm Kelly explained to CP24 in a later interview.
But Kelly said he expects that if the mayor is still completing some form of rehabilitation at the three-month mark, he will be excused from the clause.
He said that councillors have never been terminated due to the clause, and if the mayor is "rehabbing in good faith," council will permit his absence.
Pennachetti also told the media that the only change in the mayor's absence is that he will report to one person instead of two. For the last few months, he said he's been reporting work matters to the mayor and deputy mayor.
'Distraction in the city'
Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne echoed the "no change" sentiment.
Speaking to media during a Thursday morning jog Wynne said, "I've been dealing with Deputy Mayor Kelly since he was given decision-making authority by the city. I think that was the right decision."
"This has been a distraction in the city for a long time," she said of the controversy that has dogged Ford for the last year.
One of Ford's colleagues at city hall said he didn't think anything would change politically despite the mayor's leave of absence.
"Work goes on, with or without him," Coun. John Parker said. "He's irrelevant."
In a press conference Thursday morning, Coun. Doug Ford said arriving at the decision to get help was challenging for his brother.
"Rob was very emotional when he told me the hardest thing about this is he let people down," the councillor said with a shaky voice.
"He let his family down. He let his friends down. He let his colleagues down. He let his supporters down."
Doug asked for prayers for his brother and family, regardless of political affiliation.
PMO weighs in
Meanwhile on Thursday, the Prime Minister's Office issued a statement calling the mayor's comments and behaviour "very troubling."
The statement went on to say that the PMO was "pleased to hear the Mayor has entered rehab to seek treatment for his addiction."
Another councillor put political views aside to praise the mayor's decision to get help.
"Whether you're friend or foe of Rob Ford, there has to be a general agreement that it's better late than never," Coun. Denzil Minnan-Wong told media at city hall.
"I think right now is simply a time to let Rob Ford heal and get the help he needs," Minnan-Wong said.
Minnan-Wong refused to answer questions about whether the mayor should resign, saying that Toronto voters would make the decision on Oct. 27.
Commenting on the revelations that came to light as he announced his decision to seek help for substance abuse issues, one of the mayor's leading election rivals said he is "gross."
Coun. Karen Stintz was specifically called out in an audio recording that CTV News has not been able to verify. A man who sounds like Ford was recorded saying, "I'd like to f—king jam her."
When asked about the comments, Stintz said she wasn't interested in an "empty apology."
"If Rob Ford was truly sorry, he would have apologized to me last night," she told the media at a press conference at city hall.
"Last night we saw yet another example of why the City of Toronto needs new leadership," Stintz said.
"Toronto is tired of being gripped in this sad, sad mess," she said.
Mayoral candidate Olivia Chow said she was angered by the latest Ford news, including "sexist" comments directed at Stintz.
"Once again, he is making offensive remarks against women. This time against Ms. Stintz," she said.
"Once again, internationally (Ford is) making headlines, and not for good reasons. Not for making our city proud," Chow said at a press conference.
"It's obvious that he has a serious drug addiction problem," Chow said.
"Last year, everyone said that he needs to take responsibility, he needs to get help. He chose not to," Chow said, emphasizing her hope for change on election day. "As a mayor, it is too late. He had his chance."
Call to resign
Hours after the news broke of the mayor's leave, mayoral candidates John Tory and Sarah Thomson published statements condemning his actions.
Tory's statement said that the candidate's thoughts were with the Ford family, but he was "deeply disappointed" by the latest revelations.
"For the good of the city, I call on Mayor Ford to resign," Tory wrote. "We're bigger than any one person, we will emerge stronger from this."
Thomson's statement also asked that the mayor resign, and went on to add that overcoming an addiction is a long process with a high chance of relapse, and healing won't happen quickly.
"It is time for the city to move forward and time for the voters to think about the real challenges facing Toronto."
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