Council votes against naming Etobicoke stadium after Rob Ford

Toronto city council voted on Wednesday against naming the stadium at Centennial Park after the late former mayor Rob Ford. The final tally was 24-11.

Mayor John Tory introduced the motion to rename the venue Rob Ford Memorial Stadium, “in light of his many years of work on football programs in Etobicoke.”

Tory said when Ford was first elected to council in November, 2000, “he quickly became known for his unique approach to public service.”

“Councillor Ford’s community involvement went well behind politics,” Tory said in his motion, citing Ford’s work with the Newtonbrook North Stars, the football program at Don Bosco Catholic Secondary School and the Rob Ford Football Foundation.

The former mayor’s brother and former city councillor Doug Ford said he was “very disappointed” with the vote.

Rob Ford became a celebrity in light of his admitted crack cocaine use, alcohol abuse, lewd comments and at times outrageous behaviour that transformed his mayoral office into an unprecedented spectacle.

He died in March 2016 at the age of 46 after being diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer.

The motion also recommended honouring two other council members who died earlier this year — Deputy Mayor Pam McConnell and Coun. Ron Moeser.

In consultation with the McConnell and Moeser families, Tory said he would convene panels of councillors and community members in order to determine suitable public properties that could be renamed in their memory.

Council approved that part of the motion by a vote of 33-2.

With files from The Canadian Press


Related:

Toronto’s mayor recommends stadium be renamed to honour Rob Ford


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