In the aftermath of Premier Doug Ford’s announcement that he will use the notwithstanding clause to push through his plan to cut the size of Toronto city council, many left-leaning incumbents in the downtown core are quickly making the decision on where to run.For Mike Layton, that’s University-Rosedale.“After discussions with members of the community and much personal reflection, I have decided that if Ford is successful, and we are forced to run in a 25-seat race, I will be running to represent the ward of University-Rosedale,” Layton wrote in a statement Friday.In an interview with the Star, Layton, who currently represents Ward 19 Trinity-Spadina, said that despite his decision on where to run in the event the notwithstanding clause is passed, the fight continues to maintain the 47-ward model.“We’re going to fight for 47 until the last moment we can,” he said. “We’re going to use every effort we can to stop this unfair and unprecedented intervention and rigging of the election that Mr. Ford is trying to do.”He added: “It’s beyond disturbing the premier would take this route.”“We’re going to need to elect progressive city councillors across the city no matter if it’s 47 or 25 wards,” Layton said. “That means I’m going to have to decide which of the two because my riding is being torn apart into two. I’ve got to decide which one — in the event that we go to the 25 option — which one I would run in.”University-Rosedale represents, in part, the northern area of Layton’s current electoral district. Major parts of the larger ward include the University of Toronto, Christie Pits, Little Italy and Yorkville.In response to Ford calling him a “crony” and a friend of Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath on Wednesday, Layton said, “(I’m) not sure really what he means by it … There is no denying sheR ...
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