Hero for a day

He lost control of his own budget, was shoved aside on a multibillion-dollar transit file and saw his administration’s trashy plans for the waterfront, well, trashed. But when it really counts, when he officially deems it a “priority item,” Toronto Mayor Rob Ford can still sway city council’s vote.

He did just that this week on an issue of obviously deep concern — making sure there’s a burger joint at Nathan Phillips Square. Inspiring stuff.

Bear in mind this won’t be just another greasy patty and fries-with-that affront to the culinary arts. What’s coming are Hero Certified Burgers, providing Angus ground beef from cattle “raised in harmony with nature on 14 family ranches utilizing native and tame pastures,” according to the company’s website.

It’s tough to argue with that. But Angus-impaired thinkers on the city’s government management committee voted in February to overturn Hero’s winning bid to sell burgers on the square. Such meat-and-bun fare wasn’t considered posh enough for what committee chair Paul Ainslie called a “very important gateway to city hall.”

When the matter came to council, Ford swung into action. Instead of deploying the official mayoral gagging noise to indicate his displeasure, Ford circulated on the council floor — just like a real leader — and gradually convinced a majority of city councillors to award Hero Burgers the contract. After all, the company did win the original tender.

“It was great,” Ford said later. “We did good today.” Indeed, it was rather satisfying to watch the mayor savour victory.

Given all his failures, gaffes, ethical lapses, abusive behaviour, misuse of public resources and inappropriate conduct, it’s nice to see that even someone as flawed as Ford can be a Hero for at least one day.