Toronto’s deputy mayor is set to meet with Mayor Rob Ford Saturday after several councillors expressed concerns over recent revelations regarding his involvement in a police investigation.
“I will be meeting with the mayor tomorrow and I will bringing to his attention the concerns that have been expressed to me by a number of councillors from both sides of the spectrum,” Coun. Norm Kelly said in a brief statement to reporters at city hall.
Kelly said he hoped that the “mayor will listen very carefully” and that he would “make the right decision” based on the best interests of Torontonians, his colleagues on council, and his family.
In a brief statement to reporters, Coun. Denzil Minnan-Wong acknowledged that several members of the mayor’s executive committee had conveyed their concerns to Kelly regarding Ford’s behaviour and its impact on the city of Toronto.
Neither Kelly nor Minnan-Wong would elaborate on those concerns, nor would they say whether they would be asking the mayor to resign or take a leave of absence.
The location of the meeting has not been disclosed.
In a written statement, the Toronto Board of Trade called on Ford to take a “leave of absence until the situation is resolved.”
President and CEO Carol Wilding said the “current situation” is a distraction for the mayor, and renders him unable to effectively address his mayoral duties, including leading transportation development, jobs and investment.
“It is our view that Mayor Ford cannot effectively fulfill these duties and others while this cloud hangs over him and the city,” Wilding said.
The concerns being raised come a day after Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair confirmed that a video file had been recovered in which the mayor appears and which is "consistent with what has been described in the media."
Last May, U.S. website Gawker and The Toronto Star reported that a number of their employees had been shown a video of the mayor smoking out of what appears to be a crack pipe.
Ford has previously said he does not use crack cocaine and that the video does not exist.
The mayor said Thursday that he couldn't defend himself against the allegations because the matter was before the courts. He also said he has "no reason to resign."
Ford was not at work Friday, and was seen instead with his brother Coun. Doug Ford entering his mother's home.
Coun. Shelley Carroll -- who on Thursday called on Ford to take a leave -- said work was continuing at city hall "to the best of our abilities."
Carroll said councillors spent hours Friday morning in budget meetings, questioning the public service on utility rates. "That deliberation will continue," she said.
She reiterated her view that the mayor take a leave and apologize to Torontonians.
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"One of the qualities people love the most about Rob is his human quality, and apologizing is what humans do at times like this," she said, adding that she approved of his decision to speak with his family Friday morning.
Carroll said that should Ford step down, city business will continue under the leadership of Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly. She said Kelly could easily step into the role and was "very capable."
