Rob Ford's Toronto

[MetroMan]

Calling for a snap election would be so stupid the Fords just might try it. Hopefully it would be the nail in the coffin of Ford Nation, laughed off by every media outlet in the country. Would the respect for taxpayers guy really be proposing to spend a couple million dollars on an election because he's can't admit he did anything wrong? It would finally expose all of Ford's actions as being only about his own squalid self-interest. It's difficult for me to believe that the executive, even as uninspiring as they are, would come up with this one however. It could only come from the core of Ford delusion.

No extra money. This would simply be moving Toronto's election early by one year. But then would this term last 5 years to match up to other municipalities in 2018? Would city councillors be running for their seats a year early also? I don't know the details but I think neither does Ford.

 

[christiesplits]

The third option that Norm Kelly and the executive committee presented to Ford today: call a snap election/referendum.

After all the info I've heard, it makes sense that that's what Ford will do. Ask City Council to vote to request that the Province enact special legislation to call for a by-election. I don't know if Council or the Province will go along but it is a solution because Ford thinks he can win and most of us know that it's he likely will not win and this is the fastest way of getting rid of him.

Wynne has shown absolutely no intention to get involved since day one. I don't see her budging.

 

[Johnny Au]

This whole thing is reminding me of an American Dad episode. A popular theme they like to use is to have a character (usually Stan or Roger) try to cover up their misdeeds. This cover up leads to a bigger cover up and so on until the whole thing has spiraled out of control by epic proportions, at which point they realize that it is best to come clean.

Rob could learn a lot from that show right about now.

One problem though:

Rob Ford does not like to watch shows made by lefties (such as Seth MacFarlane), though I personally know many righties (mostly the younger economic conservative types; older socially conservative types find them offensive) who are fans of MacFarlane's cartoons.

 

[dt_toronto_geek]

The third option that Norm Kelly and the executive committee presented to Ford today: call a snap election/referendum.

After all the info I've heard, it makes sense that that's what Ford will do. Ask City Council to vote to request that the Province enact special legislation to call for a by-election. I don't know if Council or the Province will go along but it is a solution because Ford thinks he can win and most of us know that it's he likely will not win and this is the fastest way of getting rid of him.

How would a snap election be handled at the municipal level? Would it be a simple "yes" or "no" referendum on Rob Ford as Mayor?

 

[JWBF]

What he normally does: run away.

Not surprising, bullies tend to be cowards when met with the truth.

 

[pattycakes]

1 Resign
2 Step aside for a few months
3 Ask Province/Council to call election

They probably included door #3 knowing Rob wouldn't go for #1 or #2. Doug will say, "you can't put a price on democracy".

 

[typezed]

No extra money. This would simply be moving Toronto's election early by one year. But then would this term last 5 years to match up to other municipalities in 2018? Would city councillors be running for their seats a year early also? I don't know the details but I think neither does Ford.

Seems highly improbable to me that 12 councillors would seriously consider this. I could maybe see the Fords boastfully proposing it off the top of their heads in the middle of their radio show, but they're fools. But other councillors aren't going to shift their election plans and organization to meet the needs of a man they all must be seriously disenchanted with right now. And they're not going to entertain the expense of a referendum on Rob Ford.

 

[MetroMan]

Seems highly improbable to me that 12 councillors would seriously consider this. I could maybe see the Fords boastfully proposing it off the top of their heads in the middle of their radio show, but they're fools. But other councillors aren't going to shift their election plans and organization to meet the needs of a man they all must be seriously disenchanted with right now. And they're not going to entertain the expense of a referendum on Rob Ford.

What if it's the only way to get rid of him? Suddenly it seems preferable to dragging Toronto through this chaos for the next 13 months. Ford will never resign and this may be the only option he'll agree to.

If this involves councillors also running for their seats a year early, I don't see many taking the chance. But if it's a Mayoral by-election only, despite the cost involved I can imagine TOcouncil at least considering it as the only way of moving an immovable object (not a fat joke).

 

[Palma]

Ranked ballots will help to reengage voters. Pluralities will be a thing of the past and more voters will feel as if their vote was meaningful.

I also feel that we need to redesign our civics courses in schools. Have them focus on teaching the students how to determine what is true/false in politics rather than the very specific details about our political institutions work. The civics course should also be taken in Grade 12 rather than in Grade 9. There aren't very many 14 year old that can appreciate the importance of responsible voting.

I have news for you, they have moved it down to grade 8. My son is taking it right now

 

[Cooper]

I'm trying to figure what the legal basis might be for calling elections outside the dates specified in provincial law. I can't think of anything. Ontario councils don't have parties, so it's not like council can defeat a "government" in a confidence vote (they *are* the government, after all). Who would get to call elections? Under what circumstances? I just can't see the province (let alone council) getting behind the idea, especially as the Fords would want to do it quickly and entirely out of their own self-interest, not any particular failure in the structure of governance. Anybody have any thoughts?

 

[Sweet Mister]

It's the only option whereby they don't end up twisting in the wind.

Let them twist in the wind.

 

[atodaso]

Council can defund the office of the Mayor and fire his staff.

Interesting. Council should do this and let him drain the Ford family coffers, because I'm sure Ford would try to keep it going on deco-label's dime just despite them. Bleed him dry so he can't hire lawyers to fund his next escapade.

 

[newearthling]

No no no.
Ford is (allegedly) a criminal. He needs to be charged, tried, convicted. And then he needs to go to jail.
No referendums. No breaks. No time off council for rehab.

His recovery happens on his own time. Preferably in a jail cell.

 

[Eastside]

How would a snap election benefit anyone but the incumbent? This seems like an option that favours the mayor, who would have a much easier time organizing a campaign team. If he's not going to resign, let him continue on his merry way until either a) the wiretaps become public or b) Lisi flips on him. Either option sinks him.

 

[TJ O'Pootertoot]

1 Resign
2 Step aside for a few months
3 Ask Province/Council to call election

I don't get it. He's always made it clear he's ready to go to another election. I suspect he'd have elections every 6 months if he could.
It's like asking someone do you want me to:
1) shoot you in the head
2) shoot you in the knee
3) ask the bank to give you $5 million.

First, you have no authority to give option #3 and also, rather obviously, its' the more desirable of the options for someone who wants to not be shot. Why would Ford choose to resign or take leave when he can stay in office, everyone knowing full well Wynne won't call an election. Worse, the committee has now handed Ford the ability to say, "I was ready to go to an election but SHE wouldn't let me," putting her on the hit list alongside Blair, The Star et. al.

If that's actually what's transpiring (and I guess we'll have an idea tomorrow afternoon or Monday at latest), it's baffling and, yeah, council should just defund the mayor's office or pass a meaningless-but-symbolic motion asking Ford to step down. He's made it so abundantly clear he has no interest in ever leaving, I can't wrap my head around why they give him that out...It's also the only 3 of the options that totally dodges what's going on now. It's saying, "We don't think you have a drug or any other kind of problem so if you just wanna go to the people and let them decide, that's fine by us..."

(Oh, and to Cooper: the election laws are entirely in the hand of the province, as is everything else to do with municipalities. They could rename Toronto Gooberville tomorrow, and cut it in half if they wanted. So, in theory they could call an election but I can't understand why they would. With everything going on, why would they a) accede to Ford's wishes b) roll the dice on something that could [gasp] leave him in the mayor's chair?)