6°c Clear
18°c Sunny
Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Toronto mayor holds on to job
But rapped by three-judge panel for 'wilful blindness' to the law
Toronto Mayor Rob Ford leaves his lawyer's office on Friday. (CP)
TORONTO -- The polarizing mayor of Canada's biggest city emerged a survivor Friday, hanging on to his job after a fierce battle with courts and his critics.
But Rob Ford's troubles may be far from over.
Ontario's Divisional Court overturned a previous decision that ordered Ford removed from office for violating conflict-of-interest rules.
However, the mayor got his knuckles rapped by the three-judge panel over his "wilful blindness" to the law.
The normally brash and outspoken Ford appeared before reporters somewhat toned down Friday.
"It's very humbling to know how many people out there supported me," he said.
In response to the ruling, the lawyer who brought the action against the mayor indicated he would try to take the fight to Canada's top court.
Ford won on a technicality, lawyer Clayton Ruby said in a statement.
Ford, who could still be forced from office -- an audit of his campaign expenses is pending -- vowed to continue "fighting on," adding he planned to spend the next six years "getting the job done."
Last October, an Ontario Superior Court justice ruled Ford had violated conflict laws for taking part in a council vote on whether he should repay $3,150 raised for his private football foundation. It ordered him removed from office.
The mayor blamed a left-wing conspiracy for the decision and immediately appealed.
His Divisional Court win Friday turned on whether council had the power to order the repayment. The judges said it didn't.
As a result, they said, his participation in the vote wasn't in violation of the conflict law.
Ruby, a noted constitutional lawyer who took on the case for a disgruntled citizen, Paul Magder, called the ruling "disappointing."
"We believe that there are serious errors of law in the judgment and we will ask the Supreme Court of Canada for leave to appeal to that court," Ruby said.
"It must be acknowledged that such appeals are not easy but this remains an important issue for all citizens."
Little more than halfway into his first term, Ford's frank style has won him a loyal band of supporters -- "Ford Nation," he calls them.
But it has also led to his fair share of gaffes, and his opponents are never far behind.
He refused to apologize when caught misbehaving behind the wheel, including reading a stack of documents while driving on a busy highway. He got into spats with reporters. He called the police on a CBC comedian who showed up at his house.
He has been in the hot seat numerous times over the amount of time and city resources used to coach a high school football team.
Ford was forced to defend himself in court twice in the span of three months, first in this case, then in a defamation lawsuit against him that was eventually dismissed.
Despite letting him off the hook, Divisional Court questioned Ford's decision to participate in the vote that got him into hot water.
"It is important, in the present case, not to lose sight of the nature of Mr. Ford's error in judgment," the court said.
Ford had argued he thought the conflict-of-interest laws only applied to situations in which the city had a financial interest, not when his personal conduct was at issue.
He was wrong, the panel of judges said.
Ford's lawyers also argued the mayor made the error in good faith, but the court didn't agree, saying that could only stand up if he had done due diligence to ensure he wasn't in violation of the code.
"Wilful blindness to one's legal obligations cannot be a good-faith error in judgment."
-- The Canadian Press
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition January 26, 2013 A19
More Canada
- Back to Top
- Return to Canada
Poll
Most Popular Canada
- Baird takes the heat, Harper sheds little light on Senate spending scandal
- Toronto mayor stays silent about alleged crack video as Trudeau, Wynne weigh in
- Mother cries, yells as driver appears in court charged with killing boy on patio
- Appointees to EI boards broke guidelines by making political donations
- Former RCMP Musical Ride member sues, says colleagues dragged her through feces
- Duffy expense controversy sent back to closed-door Senate committee
- Canadian and American missing for nearly two weeks in Mexico
- 'Speculation' in Ontario murder case unfair to accused, says lawyer
- Carney leaving Bank of Canada with country in a stronger position
- Harper leaves behind political storm in Ottawa, heads south for trade talks
- Crack-cocaine video allegations 'ridiculous,' Toronto Mayor Rob Ford says
- Prominent Canadians back petition to rename Victoria Day to honour aboriginals
- Harper to be on hot seat at Tuesday caucus after chief of staff quits
- Duffy bailout by Harper's chief of staff prompts allegations of coverup by PMO
- Baird takes the heat, Harper sheds little light on Senate spending scandal
- Toronto mayor stays silent about alleged crack video as Trudeau, Wynne weigh in
- Duffy quits Conservative caucus over expenses as colleagues began turning on him
- Canadian and American missing for nearly two weeks in Mexico
- A look at the life and career of Ray Novak, prime minister's new chief of staff
- Mother cries, yells as driver appears in court charged with killing boy on patio
- First-degree murder charge to be laid in test drive death; remains badly burned
- Multiple fatalities after serious crash near U.S. border
- Canadian tourist dies after falling from hotel in Mexican resort
- Crack-cocaine video allegations 'ridiculous,' Toronto Mayor Rob Ford says
- Arrest made in case of Hamilton, Ont., man missing after pickup truck test drive
- Engineer charged in mall collapse
- Leaving Saskatoon: police mourn homeless drunk they considered a friend
- Prominent Canadians back petition to rename Victoria Day to honour aboriginals
- Man with no arms plans to fight seatbelt ticket, wants apology from police
- Harper to be on hot seat at Tuesday caucus after chief of staff quits
- Appointees to EI boards broke guidelines by making political donations
- Prominent Canadians back petition to rename Victoria Day to honour aboriginals
- Canadian and American missing for nearly two weeks in Mexico
- Harper explores new Latin American trade bloc
- Canada's summer forecast: variable
- Toronto mayor stays silent about alleged crack video as Trudeau, Wynne weigh in
- U.S. ambassador to Canada David Jacobson to join BMO in October as vice-chairman
- 'Speculation' in Ontario murder case unfair to accused, says lawyer
- Former RCMP Musical Ride member sues, says colleagues dragged her through feces
- Mother cries, yells as driver appears in court charged with killing boy on patio
- Prominent Canadians back petition to rename Victoria Day to honour aboriginals
- Duffy bailout by Harper's chief of staff prompts allegations of coverup by PMO
- Search on for living creatures far beneath Canadian Shield
- Quake near Ottawa rattles residents across wide swath of Ontario, Quebec
- Conservative senator Duffy claimed expenses while campaigning in 2011 election
- Grade 5 kids urge Harper to drop mean attack ads against Justin Trudeau
- Secret CSIS source, allied intelligence cited in high-profile terror case
- The Gretzky of Gretzky collectors
- Canadian and American missing for nearly two weeks in Mexico
- Coronavirus being studied in Winnipeg
- U.S. bill would give Canadian snowbirds more time to spend in the sun
- Foul fascination: Edmonton plant beautiful, but stinks like diapers, dead animals
- 'Revenge of the redheads': Ginger-haired Montrealers gather in celebration
- Man with no arms plans to fight seatbelt ticket, wants apology from police
- Prominent Canadians back petition to rename Victoria Day to honour aboriginals
- Suspects arrested in Via train terror plot linked to al-Qaida in Iran: RCMP
- Leaving Saskatoon: police mourn homeless drunk they considered a friend
- Commanding officer of Canadian Forces base in Alberta charged with sex assault
- Duffy bailout by Harper's chief of staff prompts allegations of coverup by PMO
- Engineer charged in mall collapse
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.