Mayor John Tory now says he will support a motion at council to challenge Premier Doug Ford’s plans to cut the size of council in court.Council meets again Monday after a debate last week did not resolve what to do about the provincial government’s surprise plans to reduce the number of wards in Toronto from 44 to 25 in the midst on an ongoing election. The debate will resume at 2 p.m. to allow members to attend the funeral of a victim of the Danforth shooting last week.At an early-morning press conference Monday unrelated to the province’s plan, Tory told reporters he will back a motion that would direct staff to challenge the proposed legislation.“I strongly support examining all of our legal options. I have from the beginning,” he said. “It’s one of those cases that is difficult for us because of the broad powers the province has. But I think we should be taking a look at every possible legal avenue.”On Friday, Tory proposed the city be allowed to hold a binding referendum on the issue before the province moves ahead with the proposed legislation, expected to be tabled Monday. He made no mention of supporting a legal challenge now in his speech to council at that time. Over the weekend, Tory said he heard from residents who have differing views on the governance of the city. But, he said, there was “virtual unanimity” that “this is a flawed process, a deeply flawed process where something is being jammed on the city of Toronto without consultation, without proper discussion, without seeking the views of the public in any way and that is wrong.”Councillor Joe Cressy moved a motion on Friday that council “convey its opposition” to the province’s move and direct city staff undertake legal action.“This has nothing to do with politicians and government and everything to do with Doug Ford’s shameful dislike for our city,” Cressy said from the council floor Fr ...
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