TORONTO

Mayor Rob Ford's chief of staff to step down

The Canadian Press Published Saturday, July 7, 2012 6:40PM EDT Last Updated Monday, July 9, 2012 8:08AM EDT

City of Toronto Mayor Rob Ford wipes his forehead as he speaks at the Economic Club of Canada in Toronto on Tuesday, June 5, 2012. (Nathan Denette / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

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TORONTO - Toronto Mayor Rob Ford's chief of staff is quitting his job to help organize the city's upcoming Pan Am Games.

The mayor's office says Amir Remtulla, who has served Ford for 18 months, will leave his post on July 20 to become vice president of external partnerships for the 2015 Pam Am Games.

Remtulla says serving Ford has been "an honour and a privilege."

The mayor's office says Remtulla has been credited with helping steer a number of key items through city council, including the budget, the outsourcing of garbage collection and successful labour negotiations with a number of Toronto workers.

Remtulla took over as Ford's chief of staff in February 2011, after helping the mayor transition into office.

Ford says Remtulla brought "tremendous leadership" to his team.