A councillor or councilor (Cllr, Coun, Clr or Cr for short) is a member of a local government council, such as a city council.

Often in the United States, the title is councilman or councilwoman.

United Kingdom[link]

In the United Kingdom, all local authorities are overseen by elected councillors.

These include:

1. Unitary authorities
2. County councils and District councils
3. Parish, town and community councils
4. The Common Council of the City of London (where they are known as aldermen and councilmen)

According to "Debrett's Correct Form" the English title "Councillor" (often shortened to "Cllr") only applies to elected members of City, Borough or District councils.^[1] However, there is no legal basis for this restriction, and in practice the title is applied to all councillors at all levels of local government. Where necessary, parish and county councillors are differentiated by the use of a more full title, such as "Town Councillor" or "County Councillor". The title precedes the holder's rank or title (e.g. "Cllr Dr John Smith" or "Cllr Sir James Smith) and for women only it precedes their title of marital status (e.g. "Cllr Mrs Joan Smith"; rarely "Miss" but never "Ms").^[2]

Councillors are typically elected as members of political parties or alternatively as independents. Councils may also co-opt unelected councillors to fill vacancies on the council where insufficient candidates have stood for election, although in practice this is rare outside parish councils. Once elected they are meant to represent all their constituents in the whole authority, and not just those who voted for them or just those in the district or ward they were elected in. They are bound by a code of conduct enforced by standards boards. The 2007 Local Elections in the UK saw the age limit for councillors fall to 18, leading to younger people standing.

Councillors' skills[link]

More specialised decision making structures mean councillors are expected to perform a range of different roles, such as; policy overview & scrutiny, executive decision making, political leadership, determining planning applications and community representation.

They enable communities to help themselves and provide a vital link between the local authority and the communities which they serve. Nonexecutive councillors now have more time to focus on improving the communities which they serve, and play more of a role in developing policy and recommending to the Executive, decisions to be made and holding them to account publicly for their decisions, through the scrutiny process, which provides a platform for real issues which affect communities. Issues which can be raised by fellow councillors and members of the public alike, and for in-depth work to be carried out into those issues. A councillor’s role is now one of influence rather than that of power, influencing the decision makers and holding them to account as well as influencing the key stakeholders within their wards. Councillors have a mandate now to lead and identify opportunities for change in a wide range of subjects which affect the communities in which we live, to identify skills and resources within communities and to bring them together for the greater good, this, along with greater emphasis in local government over partnership working with health, police and fire authorities.

The desire for clearer roles and raised standards has been accompanied by an increase in councillor training and development by organisations such as the Improvement and Development Agency, The Local Government Information Unit LGIU and the Local Government Association.

Remuneration[link]

Most councillors are not full time professionals, although most councils do pay them a basic allowance and out-of-pocket expenses. In addition special responsibility allowances are paid to councillors who carry out more senior roles. The basic allowance (and special responsibility allowance) are theoretically paid to compensate councillors for the time spent on council duties, and are classed by the Inland Revenue as a salary. Parish, town or community councillors may, since the Local Government Act 2000, be paid for their services, but most are not.

In Scotland since 2007 councillors have received a salary of £15k as opposed to a series of allowances. These are often topped up by special responsibility allowances.

Regional government[link]

The London Assembly is not regarded as a local authority but a regional devolved assembly and its members are referred to as Assembly Members.

United States[link]

Councilmember, councilman/councilwoman or councilor (sometimes spelled councillor) is a title for a member of a council used in the United States.^[3]

In particular, the title is used in the following cases.

• City council for U.S. cities that do not use the title of alderman
• Council of the District of Columbia

This section requires expansion.

The Philippines[link]

The Philippine Republic Act No. 7160 (otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991), a councilor is a member of a local council that is the legislative body of the local geovernment unit. Local Governments in the Philippines are of four regular categories, excluding the Sangguniang Kabataan.

Sangguniang Kabataan[link]

A special council for the barangay youth but has less legislative functions. Only the Sangguniang Kabataan Chairman sits as an ex-officio member to the Sangguniang Barangay.

Sangguniang Barangay[link]

Barangay Council, the legislature of the smallest political unit in the Philippines composing of 7 regular members excluding the presiding officer that is the Punong Barangay a.k.a. Barangay Chairman/Captain and its one ex-officio member.

Sangguniang Bayan[link]

Municipal Council, the legislature of a town or a municipality that is composed of 8 regular members excluding the Vice-Mayor that is the presiding officer, and the ex-officio members that are the Association of Barangay Chairmen President, the Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President, and other ex-officio members provided by its local provisions.

Sangguniang Panlungsod[link]

City Council, composed of regular members that are dependent on the number provided by its chartering republic act excluding its Vice-Mayor that is the presiding officer. Two usual ex-officio members would include the Association of Barangay Chairmen President and the Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President. Its powers, functions and responsibilities as a legislative body would be similar to the Sangguniang Bayan and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan combined together. However, its chartering as a city would determine if it shall act either as independent from a Sangguniang Panlalawigan or component to it. this is the highest no. of the lacated

Sangguniang Panlalawigan[link]

Provincial Board, the legislative body of a provincial government in the Philippines. The composition of its regular members depends on the number of its congressional district representations in the National House of Representatives provided by the Local Government Code of 1991 and its amendments. Usually, it has three ex-officio members namely the Philippine Councilors League Provincial President, Liga ng mga Barangay Provincial President, and the Sangguniang Kabataan Provincial Federation President.

Finland[link]

In Finland councillor (neuvos) is the highest possible title of honour which can be granted by the President of Finland. There are several ranks of councillors and they have existed since the Russian Regime. Some examples of different councillors in Finland are as follows:

• Councillor of State: the highest class of the titles of honour; granted to successful statesmen
• Mining Councillor/Trade Councillor/Industry Councillor/Economy Councillor: granted to leading industry figures on different fields of economy
• Councillor of Parliament: granted to successful statesmen
• Office Councillor: granted to leading university figures
• Councillor of Culture/Theatre Councillor/Film Councillor: granted to leading culture figures
• Chamber Councillor: granted for successful officials in the field of local government

Obsolete titles of honour[link]

• (Actual) Privy Councillor: the highest title of honour ever granted in Finland for the highest officials of the state
• Collegiate Councillor: granted to successful politicians
• Court Councillor: granted to successful officials in foreign politics
• Titular Councillor: the lowest class of titles of honour

Other countries[link]

In Australia, The Bahamas, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and other parts of the Commonwealth, as well as in the Republic of Ireland, a councillor or councilor is an elected representative on a local government council.

In the Netherlands, a member of the municipal council is called a gemeenteraadslid or raadslid. Someone out of this group who is elected to serve on the municipal executive is called a wethouder, which is usually translated as "alderman" or "councillor". The Dutch word for mayor is burgermeester. This is expressed in English as "mayor" or "burgomaster". The municipal executive is referred to collectively as the College van Burgemeester en Wethouders.

In Belgium, a member of the municipal council is called a gemeenteraadslid in Dutch. Someone out of this group who is elected to serve on the municipal executive is called a schepen in Dutch or échevin in French. This is usually translated as "alderman" or "councillor" in English. The municipal executive is referred to collectively as the College van Burgermeester en Schepen.

In Luxembourg, an échevin (Luxembourgish: Schäffe, German: Schöffe) is a member of the administration of a Luxembourgian commune.

This section requires expansion.

See also[link]

• Privy Councillor
• Local government
• Local government in the United Kingdom

References[link]

1. ^ Debrett's Correct Form, pg 193, Headline Book Publishing 2002
2. ^ Debrett's Correct Form, pg 193, Headline Book Publishing 2002
3. ^ Viser, Matt (7 August 2006). "Spelling spats divide City Council". Boston Globe. http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2006/08/07/spelling_spats_divide_city_council/. Retrieved 7 August 2006. 

External links[link]

• Local Government Association
• Improvement and Development Agency

Robert Ford
64th Mayor of Toronto
Incumbent
Assumed office December 1, 2010
Preceded by	David Miller
Toronto City Councillor for (Ward 2) Etobicoke North
In office November 14, 2000 – October 25, 2010
Preceded by	Elizabeth Brown
Succeeded by	Doug Ford, Jr.
Personal details
Born	(1969-05-28) May 28, 1969 (age 43) Etobicoke, Ontario
Political party	Independent (2000 – present) Note: Municipal politicians in Toronto run on a Nonpartisan basis
Other political affiliations	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario[1]
Spouse(s)	Renata Brejniak (m. 2000)
Children	2
Residence	Toronto
Profession	Politician

Robert Bruce "Rob" Ford (born May 28, 1969) is a Canadian politician and businessman. He is the 64th and current Mayor of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He was first elected to city council in the 2000 Toronto municipal election, and was re-elected to his council seat in 2003 and again in 2006. Ford was elected Mayor in the 2010 mayoral election, and took office on December 1 of that year. Ford's father Doug Ford, Sr. was also a politician and his brother Doug is a Toronto city councillor.

Personal life[link]

Born in Etobicoke, Ford is the youngest of four children of Diane and Doug Ford, Sr.. Ford Sr. was the founder of DECO Labels and Tags, which makes pressure-sensitive labels for plastic-wrapped grocery products at an estimated $100 million in annual sales.^[2] Ford Sr. later became a Member of the Ontario Legislature in the Progressive Conservative government of Mike Harris.^[3] Not long after Rob Ford's birth in 1969, the success of the family business allowed the family to build a six-bedroom home in Etobicoke, which has a full-sized swimming pool and gardens that can host nearly a thousand visitors.^[2]

While growing up, Ford attended the public Scarlett Heights Collegiate,^[4] where he played centre for the football team. Ford dreamed of becoming a professional football player and his father paid for Ford to attend special camps of the Washington Redskins and the University of Notre Dame. After graduating from high school, Ford went to Carleton University (studying political science), where he made the football squad, but did not play in any games.^[2] When Ford left Carleton after one year to return to Toronto, he did not return to active football. Ford continues to be involved in football, coaching the Don Bosco Catholic Secondary School's football team since 2001. Ford has donated $20,000 to equip the Don Bosco team and has started a foundation to fund teams at other schools struggling to field football teams.^[5]

After Carleton, Ford returned home and started a sales job at the printing business.^[2] After his father's death in 2006, Ford, along with his brothers and his mother continue to control the DECO Labels and Tags company.^[2] Ford resides in Etobicoke with his wife Renata and their daughter and son. Ford supports the Salvation Army's Red Shield Appeal, Terry Fox Foundation, Heart and Stroke Foundation, Etobicoke Chamber of Commerce, Toronto Board of Trade and the Toronto West Rotary Club.^[6]

City councillor[link]

Ford was first elected to Toronto City Council in 2000, defeating incumbent Elizabeth Brown in Ward 2 Etobicoke North.^[6] Ward 2 is located in the north-west corner of the city in the former city of Etobicoke. The ward's population of over 50,000 in 2006 was 53% composed of immigrants, the largest group being South Asians. It is mixed in nature with 40% of dwellings being single-family detached homes and 35% being high-rise apartments.^[7] It is also known as an area that has seen gang violence, including six murders in 2000.^[8]Ford had previously resided in the ward, but moved in 2000 prior to the election, after his marriage, to Ward 4.

One of the first concerns of the newly-elected councillor was raised in the 2001 budget deliberations. Ford proposed a cut to each councillor's $200,000 office budget, money for travel to conferences, ending city limousine usage and club memberships. "If we wiped out the perks for council members, we'd save $100 million easy."^[9] Ford would continue to focus on spending on councillors throughout his term as councillor.^[10]

Ford made a point of not using his allotted city budget for his office expenses, paying for the expenses from his salary. He claimed $10 for his first year, and $4 for his second year. "All this office budget stuff is self-promotion to benefit yourself." On flyers for events and meetings: "Why should the taxpayers have to pay for it? It boggles my mind."^[11]

In 2003, Ford supported increased funding for the TTC. He also supported the inquiry into the MFP scandal.

In the 2003 municipal election, Ford endorsed twelve political candidates on a platform of fiscal responsibility to take on fellow councillors: "We just need to get rid of these life-long politicians that just give out money to special interest groups and don't serve the community. I'm really teed off. We need to get a new council or this city is going to go down the drain."^[12] Ford targetted Brian Ashton, Maria Augimeri, Sandra Bussin, Olivia Chow, Pam McConnell, Howard Moscoe^[13] and Sherene Shaw.^[12] Shaw did go down in defeat to Ford's future budget chief Michael Del Grande,^[14] while the rest were re-elected. Ford himself was re-elected with 80% of the vote in Ward 2.^[14]

In the 2006 election, he won again, this time with 66% of the vote.^[15]

Toronto mayoral election[link]

Rocco Rossi and Rob Ford at the Parkview Hills Community Association Mayoral Debate.

Ford declared his candidacy for Mayor of Toronto in the 2010 election on March 26, 2010. Councillor Mike Del Grande says of Ford: "He’s very popular with ‘Joe Public.’ He’s definitely a contender, not a wild card."^[16] At the campaign kickoff meeting, Ford laid out his platform, organized into four main themes: "putting people and families first, focusing on the fundamentals, reducing waste and eliminating unnecessary taxes." Among his campaign promises, he said that he would repeal the vehicle registration and land transfer taxes implemented by current mayor, David Miller, and make the Toronto Transit Commission an essential service. During his campaign, he promised voters " services will not be cut, guaranteed". While in office, he qualified this statement to no major service reductions, and called none of his changes cuts.^[17] Ford's campaign used a novel approach for Toronto which worked effectively, despite “the conventional wisdom [that] conservatives don’t win in Toronto”. His staff disregarded the conventional strategy of placing emphasis on target seats and focusing only on certain areas, which is used at the national, provincial and mainstream party level. Instead, his campaign bypassed traditional media outlets, using telephone town halls to call some 40,000 homes simultaneously and invite respondents to a talk-radio-style event hosted by Ford. This created grassroots momentum and facilitated small donations and grew the campaign’s database.^[18]

Ford campaigned on ending wasteful spending at City Hall, and his slogans such as "Stop the Gravy Train" and “respect for taxpayers” resonated with the public.^[19] His campaign's extensive internal polls showed that wasteful spending at City Hall was one of the biggest concerns among voters, although that "seemed to be the last thing any of the other candidates were talking about". Ford also pledged to do away with the city's century-old fair-wage policy, which required that private contractors be paid the same as union employees. It was said that Ford successfully tapped into recession-weary “ordinary” people who comprise the bulk of the population Toronto, who were angry at perceived financial mismanagement at City Hall and powerful city employee unions with generous benefits and pension plans.^[20] Ford's message of putting taxpayers’ interests before that of labour and special interests was also said to have attracted wide support among diverse immigrant communities in the inner-city and suburbs (whose demographics contrast sharply with the "urbane creative class" of The Beach and the Annex neighborhoods). By contrast, "people knew precisely nothing about what George Smitherman stood for", according to a spokesman for George Smitherman who was considered Ford's chief opponent.^[18][21][22]

Rival George Smitherman and other political opponents attempted to make an issue of Ford's past controversial statements and incidents. However, these did little to hurt Ford's popularity. A pollster found that "one middle-aged woman explained that she would overlook personality failings in a mayor – as long as he didn’t waste her taxes".^[23][24] According to campaign staffers Richard Ciano and Nick Kouvalis, these personal attacks were turned into advantages by the Ford campaign, portraying rivals making these personal attacks as "trying to keep the gravy train going".^[18] The barbs directed at Ford generated more donations to his campaign. So did his lack of sophistication. According to Kovalis "our polling said, don't put him in a $2,000 suit."^[18] The revelation of Ford's DUI conviction in Florida, and his subsequent public apology, led to an increase in support for Ford.^[18]

In June 2010, Ford and fellow councillors criticized retiring Kyle Rae for holding a retirement party at the Rosewater Club and billing the $12,000 cost to his office budget. Rae said that unspent campaign funds he was forced to turn over the city more than covered the cost, but critics pointed out that the campaign money was not his to spend. This example was used by Ford as an example of the "Gravy Train" at City Hall.^[25][26][27]

On August 17, 2010, The National Post reported that a computer user inside the Toronto Star company made edits to the Wikipedia article about Ford that his campaign considered "very serious libel" and copyright infringement. Bob Hepburn, a Toronto Star spokesman, denied responsibility for the edits. "The Toronto Star owns a couple of these IP portals and they come under Toronto Star Newspapers Limited, which is a broader thing. The Toronto Star itself has a separate portal," said Hepburn.^[28]

A Nanos Research poll, published on September 19, 2010, showed Ford doubling his lead from 12% to 24.5% over second-place candidate Smitherman (45.8% to 21.3% of decided voters).^[29] The Nanos Research Poll asked 1021 "likely voters" from September 14 and 16 with Rob Ford receiving 34.4% of likely voters, Smitherman 16%, Joe Pantalone 12% and undecided voters at 25%.^[30] A Global News Ipsos-Reid poll released Monday, September 27 showed Ford's lead diminishing at 28 per cent, with George Smitherman at 23 per cent, Joe Pantalone (who pledged to continue the policies of outgoing mayor David Miller) at 10 per cent, and Rocco Rossi and Sarah Thomson (who dropped from the race on September 28 and endorsed Smitherman) at seven per cent each.^[31][32] On October 22., an EKOS Research Poll found Ford with an 8 per cent lead over second place Smitherman in decided voters; 43.9% to 35.6%.^[33]

Ford also criticized Smitherman's previous record as provincial minister of health, where Smitherman had been responsible for approving most of the sole-sourced contracts before the scandal of eHealth Ontario erupted. A Ford spokesman said "the voters and the taxpayers of Toronto are going to get a very clear message from this information today that George Smitherman has no fiscal credibility to be mayor of Toronto. He is incapable of handling a budget".^[34][35]

Ford was elected mayor with 380,201 votes (47%) over Smitherman's 287,393 (35.6%) and Pantalone with 94,840 (11.7%). The voter turnout was around 52% of registered voters, the highest in Toronto's post-amalgamation history. Ford's 11% margin of victory was the largest for any incoming mayor in post-amalgamation history, roughly double that of Mel Lastman in 1997 and David Miller in 2003.^[22] While ward-by-ward electoral results showed that Ford had won all the suburbs compared to Smitherman who topped (old Toronto) districts, Ford also received significicant support (80000 votes) from the "Downtown 13” wards which made up over 20% of his total votes. By contrast, 60% of Smitherman's strongholds were located in Ward 27 and 28, which makes up his former provincial MPP riding.^{[citation needed]}

Mayor[link]

After the election, Ford had outgoing councillor Case Ootes, a former City of Toronto budget chief, head the "transition team." From his campaign team, Ford named Nick Kouvalos as his chief of staff,^[36] and Mark Towhey, who had drafted his campaign platform, as his policy advisor.^[37] Doug Holyday, who had helped elect Doug Ford Sr., was named Deputy Mayor.^[38] For the Executive Committee of City Council, Ford named councillors who had endorsed him in his campaign. For the inauguration ceremony at the first meeting of the new Council, Ford had television commentator (and Mississauga resident) Don Cherry introduce him and put the chain of office on him. Cherry, known for his audacious suits, wore a pink suit and garnered some controversy with his remarks. Cherry described how Ford had reversed a mistake of City staff cutting down a tree of a Toronto property owner for no good reason and then billing the property owner, who suffered from Alzheimer's. Cherry, for colour, added "Put that in your pipe you left-wing kooks" and "I’m wearing pinko for all the pinkos out there that ride bicycles and everything, I thought I’d get it in."^[39]

In May 2011, a three-member panel unanimously voted to proceed with an audit of the Mayor's campaign finances after election fraud complaints were made.^[40] In February 2012, a Council meeting debated a judgement of the City of Toronto's integrity commissioner, over a matter that the Ford campaign had accepted $3,500 on behalf of a foundation that supports high school football, which was against election rules. The commissioner had ruled that Ford should the money and Council voted for Ford to return the money. Ford had not paid the amount, and the item was addressed at the February meeting. At the meeting, Council voted to not impose any fine or judgment on Ford, overturning the previous ruling. Ford participated in the vote at Council, which then led to a conflict-of-interest charge laid privately by a Toronto citizen and a legal action of civil rights lawyer Clayton Ruby. Ruby's action seeks to remove Ford as mayor and prohibit Ford from entering civil politics for a maximum period of seven years. The action is scheduled to be heard in September 2012.^[41]

Budgets[link]

At the first meeting of the new City Council in December 2011, Council voted to cancel the annual $60 personal vehicle tax passed by the previous Council. The tax cancellation, a campaign promise of Ford's, took effect on January 1, 2011.^[42] For the first budget, which was for 2011, the budget was balanced with no tax increases and no significant changes. The budget used a surplus from 2010 and reserve funds to avoid raising taxes. A planned TTC hike was cancelled after Ford objected to it.^[43]

For 2012, the Ford administration initiated a consultant review of the services provided by the City. The study included public consultation via online and at public meetings. Participants were asked to group services as 'necessary', 'nice to have', etc. and how to expect to pay for them. Ford himself suggested that the City get out of running the several venues it owns, including the Sony Centre, selling off the Toronto Zoo and closing other zoos run by the City of Toronto. Ford's team promoted a figure of over $700 million as the projected shortfall with no new taxes or cuts made. The budget as proposed by Ford included cuts to various services, including environmental programs, libraries, parks and recreation, and social services, while increasing property tax by 2%, TTC fares and user fees, including those of sports teams of city facilities. In Ford's election campaign, Ford had promised to make savings at City Hall without cuts to services. Two public meetings held at City Hall turned into overnight marathons with hundreds of citizens, labour groups and special interest groups protesting the various cuts. The budget was revised at Council to restore over $18 million of spending and send the administration of the Toronto Zoo and the venues for further study. Three smaller zoos were given deadlines of June 2012 to find other funding or close. Later in 2012, the increases in sports teams' user fees was postponed until 2013. In April 2012, it was found that the City was running a surplus of nearly $270 million for 2011, attributed to greater-than-expected land transfer tax revenues and cost-cutting at city hall.^[44]

Labour relations[link]

As part of Ford's campaign promise to "end the gravy train", the administration spent time on consideration of staffing levels at the City. In 2011, the budget committee of Council passed several recommendations to cut staff through layoffs and buyouts. In July 2011, the City offered buyout packages to 17,000 staff, depending on department approval, hoping to cut staff by 2,500 voluntarily.^[45] At the end of the period, over 1,000 Toronto staff accepted buyouts. Also in 2011, Council approved the designation of the Toronto Transit Commission as an 'essential service', meaning strikes would not be allowed, and labour agreements would be settled via arbitration. In October 2011, Council also voted 26–16 to 'contract out' garbage collection west of Yonge Street to a private contractor.^[46]

In 2012, several of the City's contracts expired with their unionized staff: inside workers, outside workers, part-time parks and recreation staff, paramedics and library staff. Ford and and deputy mayor Doug Holyday put the unions on notice that the unions should expect tough negotiations. The first union to settle was the outside workers, represented by CUPE 416. Negotiations with the outside workers went to the deadline and a deal was made averting a strike or lockout. One major change was the controversial "jobs for life" clause in the bargaining agreement which stated that all permanent employees with 10 years of service or more were guaranteed a job of equal pay for equal value if theirs was contracted out. CUPE accepted a change to 15 years of service under the same provision.. During the 2012 bargaining sessions, Holyday refused to allow the union to employ delaying tactics to drag out the talks until the summer, as they had in 2009 and previous years, by negotiating early and threatening to unilaterally impose the city's offer.^[47][48][49]

In other contract negotiations, the paramedics were named as an 'essential service' in the outside workers deal, which meant that the paramedics could not go on strike in the future, and contract negotiations would go to arbitration. This provoked a threatened split from CUPE, but the paramedics eventually voted to accept. The inside workers settled with the City without any strike. The part-time parks and recreation staff initially rejected their first offer, but accepted a revised City offer. The library workers' union went on strike in February and a settlement was made one week later with the City.

Transit policy[link]

After being elected, Ford declared the Transit City transit plan dead.^[50] He then proceeded to negotiate a Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Ontario and the City of Toronto for Metrolinx to build the Crosstown LRT entirely underground while the City of Toronto would build an extension for the Sheppard subway line using its own funds, private funding agreements and any monies remaining from commitments from Ontario and the Government of Canada. Metrolinx subsequently put a stop to the Sheppard LRT project with unspecified cancellation penalties. The Memorandum of Understanding was to be ratified by Toronto City Council, but was not. Ford set up an agency to study funding of the subway project, under the direction of former councillor Gordon Chong. Chong proposed user fees, parking fees and/or road taxes, but these options were rejected by Ford. In 2012, Toronto City Council held a special meeting to overturn the Ford-Ontario plan and voted to put a section of the Crosstown above-ground, and use the savings to build a Finch LRT line. Council decided further to study whether to put a subway line beween the Don Mills Sheppard subway station and Scarborough Town Centre or put an LRT line along Sheppard as far east as Morningside Avenue. The Council meeting, at the instigation of TTC chair Karen Stintz, led to a special TTC management committee meeting where TTC general manager Gary Webster was fired. Council then held a special meeting to depose the TTC committee, removing Ford's appointees from the committee. The Sheppard panel returned in March 2012 with a recommendation to build the LRT option. Although Ford opposed the LRT, Council voted to approve the project. At the last minute, Ford's allies on Council attempted to set up a parking lot fee to help fund the project, but Ford did not support the fee, and his allies could not sway the majority of Council. Ford stated after the vote that this would be an issue in the next municipal election and he would do what he could to prevent the LRT construction and start campaigning to overturn the decision. In April, Metrolinx approved a plan of construction on the LRT transit projects, projecting a completion in 2020.^[51]

Media relations[link]

Ford's mayoralty campaign had seen a polarization of the media, and this continued on into his mayoralty. The Toronto Star newspaper and NOW magazine continued their criticism of Ford. The Toronto Sun newspaper^[52][53] and Talk Radio 640 radio station supported his causes.^[54][55] Ford had announced his candidacy for Mayor on Talk Radio 640 and gave Talk Radio 640 the first interview after his election.^[56]

Not long after his election, NOW published a fake nude photo of Ford on its cover, with a strategically-placed fig leaf. The issue (NOW is distributed as a free weekly) was initially removed from all locations at City Hall and later returned.^[57] While Ford did not ask for an apology, his supporters on Council did, but NOW refused. The Toronto Star and Ford began an ongoing dispute. Several columnists regularly wrote critical articles of Ford.^[58] In response, Ford refused to meet with Star reporters and in December 2011, the Star filed a complaint with the City of Toronto's integrity commissioner.^[59]

Ford took a different approach from his predecessor Miller when dealing with the media. The doors to the mayor's office that had been symbolically open during the Miller era were shut. Adrienne Batra, his press secretary, kept Ford's meeting schedule secret except to freedom-of-information requests. After reporters asked if Ford had met with one of his campaign donors Vaughan developer Mario Cortellucci, Batra stopped including the names of Ford's meeting partners.^[36]

On October 24, 2011, Ford was confronted in the driveway of his home by Mary Walsh, a cast member of the CBC satirical show This Hour Has 22 Minutes, in costume as her character Marg Delahunty. Walsh has frequently conducted "ambush" interviews of Canadian politicians as this character, a housewife who dresses in an outfit inspired by Xena: Warrior Princess.^[60] When Walsh and the CBC TV crew tried to interview Ford, Ford instead retreated into the house and called 911. Ford called again a few minutes after the first call. In his second call to 911, Ford used obscenities. CBC News reported that Ford had swore at the dispatchers, which Ford denied, although he admitted that he had used obscenities. "After being attacked in my driveway, I hope I can be excused for saying the f-word. I never called anyone any names. I apologize for expressing my frustration inappropriately."^[61][62][63] Walsh's segment was shown on television, along with a segment of her interviewing Ford's brother.

In 2012, along with his brother Doug, started a public weight-loss challenge entitled Cut the Waist with an accompanying web site 'cutthewaist.ca'. The site encourages others to lose weight and also encourages pledges to charity for every pound that the Ford brothers lose.^[64] In February 2012, Ford, along with his brother Doug, began the The City with Mayor Rob Ford & Councillor Doug Ford two-hour radio talk program on Newstalk 1010 on Sundays. The Fords' show discusses current topics affecting the City of Toronto, with phone-in guests.^[65]

In May 2012, when the Toronto Star was investigating a potential purchase of public lands bordering his home, Star reporter Daniel Dale and Ford had an incident. According to Ford, at 7:30 pm, a neighbour told him that someone was taking pictures of his home while standing on a cinder block on public property behind his house, while the property in question is on the side of his house. Ford confronted the reporter and yelled at him.^[66] According to Dale, he was "cornered like a rat" by Ford, yelled for help, repeatedly asked Ford not to punch him, dropped his cell phone and digital recorder and ran, scared of Ford.^[67] The next day, on Talk Radio 640, Ford stated that he would no longer meet with any City Hall reporters if Dale were present.^[68] No charges were laid in the incident.^[69]

Political affiliation[link]

Ford's father was a Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario (PC) party member and Rob Ford has maintained political connections with the PC and the federal Conservative Parties. Former Ontario Premier Mike Harris regularly gives advice to Ford. A picture of Harris with Ford's father adorns his mayor's office. Ford describes his father as his "political hero, my business hero, he's my hero overall."^[70]

Controversies[link]

In 1999, Ford was arrested in Miami for driving under the influence (DUI) and marijuana possession charges.^[71] According to the statement recorded by the arresting officer, Ford was acting nervous, had blood shot eyes and had "a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath". Ford threw his hands up in the air and told the police officer, "Go ahead, take me to jail."^[72] Until he was questioned by reporters,^[73] Ford said that the marijuana charge had "completely, totally slipped my mind" because the more serious issue during that arrest was the DUI charge.^[74] Ford initially denied the DUI charge, saying instead he was arrested because he "refused to give a breath sample".^[75]

On April 15, 2006, Ford (a sitting councillor at the time) attended a Maple Leafs hockey game at the Air Canada Centre. Visibly intoxicated and belligerent, he began to insult a couple seated behind him, who were visiting from out of town. Two security guards escorted Ford out of the building. When confronted about the episode three days later by a National Post reporter, Ford denied even having been at the game, declaring that he hadn't been to a hockey game since Christmas. "This is unbelievable," he told the Toronto Star. "I wasn't even at the game, so someone's trying to do a real hatchet job on me, let me tell you." ^[76] The following day, Ford admitted that he had lied to the media about the incident, and finally apologized for his behaviour: “That was just stupidity. I feel terrible about it. My wife and I had a little bit too much to drink . . . I made a mistake that will never happen again.” ^[77]

On March 7, 2007, Ford made controversial comments about cyclists' use of the roads, saying, "What I compare bike lanes to is swimming with the sharks. Sooner or later you're going to get bitten... Roads are built for buses, cars, and trucks, not for people on bikes. My heart bleeds for them when I hear someone gets killed, but it’s their own fault at the end of the day."^[78] On May 25, 2009, Ford said, "It's no secret, okay. The cyclists are a pain in the ass to the motorists."

At a council meeting on March 5, 2008, Ford said, "Those Oriental people work like dogs. They work their hearts out. They are workers non-stop. They sleep beside their machines. That's why they're successful in life. I went to Seoul, South Korea, I went to Taipei, Taiwan. I went to Tokyo, Japan. That's why these people are so hard workers (sic). I'm telling you, the Oriental people, they're slowly taking over." ^[79] Ford later apologized for using the term "orientals", but stood by his remarks, claiming that they were meant as a positive assessment of their work ethic.

References[link]

• McDonald, Marci (2012). "The Incredible Shrinking Mayor". Toronto Life (May 2012): pp. 40–54. 

Notes[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Rob Ford

• Rob Ford profile on City of Toronto website

v t e Members of the current Toronto Executive Committee Ainslie · Berardinetti · Del Grande · Ford · Holyday · Kelly · Mammoliti · Milczyn · Minnan-Wong · Palacio · Robinson · Shiner · Thompson

v t e Mayors of the Greater Toronto Area Toronto Rob Ford Peel Region Brampton: Susan Fennell · Caledon: Marolyn Morrison · Mississauga: Hazel McCallion York Region Aurora: Geoff Dawe · East Gwillimbury: Virginia Hackson · Georgina: Robert Grossi · King: Steve Pellegrini · Markham: Frank Scarpitti · Newmarket: Tony Van Bynen · Richmond Hill: Dave Barrow · Vaughan: Maurizio Bevilacqua · Whitchurch–Stouffville: Wayne Emmerson Durham Region Ajax: Steve Parish · Brock: Terry Clayton · Clarington: Adrian Foster · Oshawa: John Henry · Pickering: Dave Ryan · Scugog: Chuck Mercier · Uxbridge: Gerri Lynn O'Connor · Whitby: Pat Perkins Halton Region Burlington: Rick Goldring · Halton Hills: Rick Bonnette · Milton: Gord Krantz · Oakville: Rob Burton

v t e Mayors of Toronto Mackenzie · Sullivan · T. Morrison · Gurnett · Powell · Monro · Sherwood · Boulton · Gurnett · Bowes · Beard · Allan · Robinson · Hutchison · Boulton · Read · Wilson · Bowes · Medcalf · Smith · Harman · Sheard · Manning · Medcalf · A. Morrison · Beaty · McMurrich · Boswell · Manning · W. Howland · Clarke · Fleming · Kennedy · Fleming · Shaw · Macdonald · O. Howland · Urquhart · Coatsworth · Oliver · Geary · Hocken · Church · Maguire · Hiltz · Foster · McBride · Wemp · Stewart · Simpson · McBride · Robbins · Day · Conboy · R. Saunders · McCallum · Lamport · L. Saunders · Phillips · Summerville · Givens · Dennison · Crombie · Beavis · Sewell · Eggleton · Rowlands · Hall · Lastman · Miller · Ford

v t e Members of the Toronto City Council Mayor: Rob Ford Speaker: Frances Nunziata • Deputy Speaker: John Parker     Vincent Crisanti Doug Ford Doug Holyday Gloria Lindsay Luby Peter Milczyn Mark Grimes Giorgio Mammoliti Anthony Perruzza Maria Augimeri James Pasternak Frances Nunziata Frank Di Giorgio Sarah Doucette Gord Perks Josh Colle Karen Stintz Cesar Palacio Ana Bailão Mike Layton Adam Vaughan Joe Mihevc Josh Matlow John Filion David Shiner Jaye Robinson John Parker Kristyn Wong-Tam Pam McConnell Mary Fragedakis Paula Fletcher Janet Davis Mary-Margaret McMahon Shelley Carroll Denzil Minnan-Wong Michelle Berardinetti Gary Crawford Michael Thompson Glenn De Baeremaeker Michael Del Grande Norm Kelly Chin Lee Raymond Cho Paul Ainslie Ron Moeser Toronto City Hall • Toronto City Council

Paula Fletcher (born 1951) is a Canadian politician. In 2003, she was elected to the Toronto City Council for Ward 30 Toronto-Danforth.

Background[link]

Fletcher was born in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. She worked as an educator in third world development, and became a community activist in Winnipeg. She was a plant organizer in a Toronto garment mill in the early 1970s.^[1] After working at the mill, she worked at the Downsview DeHavilland Plant. When she worked there she went by the nickname ‘Rosie the Riveter’.^[1] At the plant she was involved in the women's committee of Local 112. Today CAW 112 represents the aerospace workers at the Bombardier/DeHavilland plant.^[2] One of her many activities included a stint as a singer with a group called the Rank and File in the early 1980s.^[3]

As of 2010 she lives in Toronto with her husband John Cartwright and their two children.^[3] Her husband is the president of the Toronto and York Region Labour Council.

Manitoba Communist Party Leader[link]

In 1980, she ran for the Winnipeg School Board for Ward 2, in the city's north end. In 1981, she was elected leader of the Communist Party of Canada in Manitoba. She stayed on as leader for five years.^[4] She ran twice in the 1981 and 1986 provincial elections in the Winnipeg riding of Burrows. She garnered 144 and 131 votes respectively, less than 2% of the popular vote. In 1986 she left the party and relocated to Toronto. In the 1990s Fletcher worked at Toronto City Hall as executive assistant to councillor Dan Leckie.^[5]

School trustee[link]

In 2000, she was elected as a trustee for Ward 15 in the Toronto District School Board. During her time on the board, she was active in fighting the cutbacks of the Mike Harris and Ernie Eves Progressive Conservative governments and was able to prevent two school closures in her area. One of them was Bruce Junior Public School, which Fletcher helped save by housing a new facility there for childhood learning and development centre for families.^[3]

In 2002, the provincial government appointed Paul Christie as supervisor for the school board since the trustees had refused to submit a balanced budget. During this period, Christie had the power to overrule any decisions made by the trustees. Although trustees continued to meet in what was at most an advisory role, frustrations with their situation often led to confrontation. During a meeting in January 2003, Fletcher and school board director David Reid exchanged words in a heated debate. Reid accused Fletcher of misleading the meeting over a series of questions she said had not been addressed by staff.^[6]

City Councillor[link]

2003 term[link]

When Jack Layton resigned as councillor to run for the leadership of the federal New Democratic Party (NDP), Fletcher received the endorsement of the NDP to run to replace him in the ward. In the race she was endorsed by Layton, who by the time of the election was the leader of the federal NDP, and the local NDP Member of Provincial Parliament Marilyn Churley.^[7]

During the election she was described as "a high profile lefty who has the backing of the NDP." A key issue in the election was the fixed link to the Toronto Island Airport that Fletcher opposed.^[7]

In the 2003 election, eight candidates competed in Ward 30. Prominent candidates included Chris Phibbs, who was executive assistant to Toronto City Councillor Kyle Rae for 11 years, and Maureen Gilroy, a centrist candidate who had the backing of Liberal MP Dennis Mills.

Fletcher won with 39.5% of the vote (6,460 votes) beating Phibbs who had 26.1% of the vote, Gilroy who received 19.3% of the vote, and McCormick who received 5.1%. The total number of votes cast was 16,373 votes.^[8]

Following her election, Fletcher became part of the governing coalition led by newly elected Mayor David Miller.

As a councillor, Fletcher rallied Toronto City Council to oppose the Portlands Energy Centre, a 550 megawatt power plant in the Port Lands district beside the Hearn Generating Station. The grassroots campaign was unable to stop construction of the plant which was completed in 2007.

Other significant developments in Ward 30 supported by Fletcher include Filmport (now known as Pinewood Toronto Studios), Canada's largest purpose-built sound stage and film production space, and the Zhong Hua Men Archway, the only traditional Chinese archway to be built in Toronto.

2006 term[link]

In the 2006 election Fletcher ran in a field of six candidates.^[9] The overall turnout in Ward 30 dropped to 13,181 votes. Fletcher won with 60.3% of the vote. With the drop in voter turnout, however, her vote total increased by 1,476 votes over the 2003 results to 7,936 votes. Suzanne McCormick, who had run against her in 2003, was the second place candidate and received 26.3% (3,470 votes).^[10]

During the term, She served as the Chair of the Parks and Environment Committee where she spearheaded the City of Toronto's Climate Change, Clean Air and Sustainable Energy Action Plan and Climate Change Adaptation Strategy, and the People, Dogs and Parks – Off-Leash Areas and Commercial Dog Walker Permit Policy. As chair, she was also a member of the mayor's Executive Committee. She also served on the boards of Toronto Public Health and the Toronto Community Housing Corporation, and she chaired the Aboriginal Committee and the Animal Services sub-committee.

Calling herself "an unapologetic, unadulterated left-winger",^[3] Fletcher is regarded as an advocate for affordable housing, environmentally sustainable municipal policy, social justice, and good land use planning.

In 2008, Fletcher requested Leslieville’s Duke of York Tavern to paint over a mural of a rifle-wielding John Wayne at the corner of Queen Street East and Leslie Street. Fletcher said that the mural was inappropriate given that a young woman was killed by a stray bullet in front of the tavern in October, 2008. Fletcher was surprised that some patrons were upset. "I’m a little shocked that they are [upset]. It just shows their lack of sensitivity," she said.^[11]

Leslieville Smart Centres development[link]

In 2009, Fletcher campaigned against an application by Smart Centres, to build a 65,000 m² (700,000 sq ft) retail facility in the City's 'Studio District'. The development was proposed for lands occupied by Toronto Film Studios which would have required a change in the zoning from industrial to retail. The proposal was denied on the grounds that the development would have destabilized the surrounding employment district. Smart Centres appealed the decision to the Ontario Municipal Board. In March 2009 the OMB sided with city council. However, OMB vice-chair James McKenzie was critical of measures taken to block the proposal. In his decision he wrote, "the city (planning) instruments represent a panicked response to an unwanted development scheme and are neither measured nor rational response. They are not the product of a bona fide planning initiative - they are not appropriate, practical, workable or achievable and they do not represent good land use planning."^[12]

Budget 2010[link]

On 2 March 2010, Fletcher "interrogated" a man who was identified as John Smith during deputations on the City of Toronto's budget. Fletcher wanted to know if he expected her to cut the arts budget, school breakfast programs, or subsidized daycare spots.^[13][14]

Smith replied, "Councillor, you're asking me to do your job. Are you seeking re-election in [October]? You're being paid to make tough decisions." After a further exchange he added, "You should be fired."^[15] The Toronto Star then reported that Fletcher yelled back: "Oh, come and run against me. Come on down, baby!"^[15]

Fletcher subsequently apologized to Toronto City Council for her comments by letter writing: "if my tone was argumentative or if they believe I do not value their participation in the budget process."^[13] The outburst was covered by major media in Toronto including an editorial in the Toronto Sun^[16] and an article about the outburst from the point of view of her fellow city councillors.^[17]

University Avenue bike lanes[link]

In May 2010 Fletcher voted against a proposal to install bike lanes on University Avenue in downtown Toronto. The proposal failed on a 15-13 vote. She said she had intended to vote in favour of the proposal and blamed fatigue and city hall technology for her mis-vote. Consequently, her vote had cycling advocates mourning the loss of "the ultimate in bike lanes."^[18][19]

2010 term[link]

In the October 25, 2010 municipal election, Fletcher narrowly beat former Citytv reporter Liz West by less than two percent of the votes cast. According to The Globe and Mail, this was a "hot" ward race. The Globe reported that there was a strong desire for change in the ward that lead to the close showing by West who entered the race only in mid-August. Third-place candidate Andrew James dropped out of the race and endorsed West prior to the election day.^[20]

The Toronto and York Region Labour Council made several endorsements of councillors and trustee candidates including Fletcher.^[21]

Election results[link]

Official results.^[22]

References[link]

External links[link]

• City of Toronto Councillor Profile
• Official website

Doris Leuthard
Member of the Swiss Federal Council
Incumbent
Assumed office 1 August 2006
Preceded by	Joseph Deiss
Head of the Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications
Incumbent
Assumed office 1 November 2010
Preceded by	Moritz Leuenberger
President of Switzerland
In office 1 January 2010 – 31 December 2010
Vice President	Moritz Leuenberger Micheline Calmy-Rey
Preceded by	Hans-Rudolf Merz
Succeeded by	Micheline Calmy-Rey
Vice President of Switzerland
In office 1 January 2009 – 31 December 2009
President	Hans-Rudolf Merz
Preceded by	Hans-Rudolf Merz
Succeeded by	Moritz Leuenberger
Head of the Department of Economic Affairs
In office 1 August 2006 – 31 October 2010
Preceded by	Joseph Deiss
Succeeded by	Johann Schneider-Ammann
Personal details
Born	(1963-04-10) 10 April 1963 (age 49) Merenschwand, Switzerland
Political party	Christian Democratic People's Party
Spouse(s)	Roland Hausin

Doris Leuthard (born 10 April 1963 in Merenschwand, Aargau) is a Swiss politician and lawyer. Since 1 August 2006, she has been a member of the Swiss Federal Council. From 1 August 2006 till 31 October 2010 she was head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs (the Swiss economics minister). Since 1 November 2010 she is head of the Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications. She was elected President of the Confederation for 2010.^[1]

Leuthard was a member of the Swiss National Council from 1999 to 2006 and President of the Christian Democratic People's Party (CVP/PDC) (2004–2006).

Following the resignation of Joseph Deiss from the Swiss Federal Council, Leuthard was elected as his successor on 14 June 2006. She received 133 out of 234 valid votes, and became the 109th member (and fifth woman) of the Federal Council. Her election represented a departure from a long precedent of replacing a member of the Federal Council with someone from the same language group. While Deiss was a French speaker, Leuthard is a German speaker.

In 2009, Leuthard was elected Vice President of the Swiss Confederation, virtually assuring her election as president in 2010. Due to a large amount of turnover on the Council in recent years, she was the longest-serving councilor not to have served as president.

As President of the Confederation, Leuthard presided over meetings of the Federal Council and carries out representative functions that would normally be handled by a head of state in other democracies (though in Switzerland, the Federal Council as a whole is regarded as the head of state). She is also the highest-ranking official in the Swiss order of precedence, and can act on behalf of the whole Council in emergency situations. However, in most cases, Leuthard is merely primus inter pares, with no power above and beyond her six colleagues.

Following a reshuffle of portfolios after the by-election of two new councilors in 2010, Leuthard replaced outgoing Moritz Leuenberger at the head of the Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications.^[2]

See also[link]

• Swiss Federal Council elections of 14 June 2006
• List of current Vice Presidents

References[link]

External links[link]

Media related to Doris Leuthard at Wikimedia Commons

• Profile of Doris Leuthard with election results on the website of the Swiss Federal Council.

• Biography of Doris Leuthard on the website of the Swiss Parliament. (German)
• Address by Doris Leuthard (as President of Switzerland) at the General Debate of the 65th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations, 23 September 2010: video (in French); written translation of the statement into English
• Andreas Steigmeier: Doris Leuthard in German, French and Italian in the online Historical Dictionary of Switzerland, 2006-09-26.

v t e Presidents of Switzerland (list) 1848 – 1874 Furrer · Druey · Munzinger · Furrer · Naeff · Frey-Herosé · Furrer · Stämpfli · Fornerod · Furrer · Stämpfli · Frey-Herosé · Knüsel · Stämpfli · Fornerod · Dubs · Schenk · Knüsel · Fornerod · Dubs · Welti · Dubs · Schenk · Welti · Cérésole · Schenk 1875 – 1899 Scherer · Welti · Heer · Schenk · Hammer · Welti · Anderwert · Droz · Bavier · Ruchonnet · Welti · Schenk · Deucher · Droz · Hertenstein · Hammer · Ruchonnet · Welti · Hauser · Schenk · Frey · Zemp · Lachenal · Deucher · Ruffy · Müller 1900 – 1924 Hauser · Brenner · Zemp · Deucher · Comtesse · Ruchet · Forrer · Müller · Brenner · Deucher · Comtesse · Ruchet · Forrer · Müller · Hoffmann · Motta · Decoppet · Schulthess · Calonder · Ador · Motta · Schulthess · Haab · Scheurer · Chuard 1925 – 1949 Musy · Häberlin · Motta · Schulthess · Haab · Musy · Häberlin · Motta · Schulthess · Pilet-Golaz · Minger · Meyer · Motta · Baumann · Etter · Pilet-Golaz · Wetter · Etter · E. Celio · Stampfli · von Steiger · Kobelt · Etter · E. Celio · Nobs 1950 – 1974 Petitpierre · Steiger · Kobelt · Etter · Rubattel · Petitpierre · Feldmann · Streuli · Holenstein · Chaudet · Petitpierre · Wahlen · Chaudet · Spühler · von Moos · Tschudi · Schaffner · Bonvin · Spühler · von Moos · Tschudi · Gnägi · N. Celio · Bonvin · Brugger 1975 – 1999 Graber · Gnägi · Furgler · Ritschard · Hürlimann · Chevallaz · Furgler · Honegger · Aubert · Schlumpf · Furgler · Egli · Aubert · Stich · Delamuraz · Koller · Cotti · Felber · Ogi · Stich · Villiger · Delamuraz · Koller · Cotti · Dreifuss 2000 – present Ogi · Leuenberger · Villiger · Couchepin · Deiss · Schmid · Leuenberger · Calmy-Rey · Couchepin · Merz · Leuthard · Calmy-Rey · Widmer-Schlumpf

v t e Swiss Federal Council Current members Doris Leuthard  · Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf (Pres. 2012)  · Ueli Maurer (VP 2012)  · Didier Burkhalter  · Simonetta Sommaruga  · Johann Schneider-Ammann  · Alain Berset About Composition ("Magic formula") · Demographics Lists of members sortable · by date · by name (category) · presidents Lists by department Defence  ·  Economic Affairs  ·  Finance  ·  Foreign Affairs  ·  Home affairs  ·  Justice  ·  Environment, Transport and Communications