LIVE: Toronto city council moves into closed session at emergency meeting about ward cuts
(The Star Television)

Toronto city council gathers Thursday to respond to Premier Doug Ford’s unprecedented push to cut council almost in half. Whether the city can logistically hold a 25-seat election on Oct. 22 — with or without advance voting, any legal options for the city to fight Ford’s use of the notwithstanding clause, and Mayor John Tory’s push for a referendum on council size will all be on the table.City council voted in the morning to meet in a closed session. After hearing legal advice behind closed doors, councillors will come back for an open session.Read more:Candidates will get 2 more days to register for 25-ward municipal electionProvince appeals judge’s ruling on Toronto council cutThe session follows a raucous day Wednesday at Queen’s Park with protesters handcuffed and turfed, and most New Democrat MPPs ejected for banging on their desks and shouting as the Ford government tabled the renamed Efficient Local Government Act.The Ford government decided to use the Charter of Rights “notwithstanding� clause for the first time in Ontario history, to ensure the bill can withstand any other court challenge. Earlier in the week, an Ontario Superior Court judge struck down the Better Local Government Act — slashing the number of Toronto city councillors from 47 to 25 — for violating the Charter.The latest bill isn’t expected to be passed before Sept. 24. Candidates will have two more days to register to run in the Oct. 22 municipal election.