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[james_davis_nicoll]

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford was relieved of his duties today as the city's chief magistrate after an Ontario judge found he violated conflict of interest rules.

Comments

[qwerty88.livejournal.com]

But apparently allowed to run again. :(

Playing the martyr card I'm sure.

[fsandow.livejournal.com]

It's an interesting judgment. The judge spends a lot of time on the argument that the rules shouldn't prevent a councillor from speaking in their own defence with respect to a disciplinary matter, and appears to have some sympathy for that argument, but ultimately says that it's up to the legislature to make that change. In any event, he says there's no excuse for Ford voting on the matter.

He's also very clear in finding that there was no actual corruption. He regrets that there are no lesser penalties, and definitely wouldn't have removed Ford from office if he'd had a choice.

On to the appeal. I'll be curious to see what order the Divisional Court makes for managing the situation pending the appeal. Hopefully they can expedite things.

[kithrup.livejournal.com]

I saw that, and my first thought was "James will be happy!"

[scott-sanford.livejournal.com]

"This is a man that cares, a man that is the most honest politician I've ever seen in this country."

Oh, Lord, I hope not.