A TIMELINE OF EVENTS IN THE TORONTO COUNCIL-CUTTING SAGA
TORONTO — A timeline of events in the battle between the Ontario government and Toronto over the size of the city’s council.
July 27, 2018: Premier Doug Ford announces plans to slash the number of Toronto councillors from 47 to 25 in the middle of the city’s election campaign.
July 30: Ford’s Progressive Conservatives introduce Bill 5, also known as the Better Local Government Act. Toronto councillors voice opposition to the bill.
Aug. 10: Toronto Mayor John Tory sends a letter to Ford formally requesting he pause plans to enact Bill 5 and asks for a referendum on the council-cutting plan.
Aug. 14: Bill 5 becomes law
Aug. 20: Toronto council votes to mount a legal challenge against Bill 5. Ford says he does not plan to cut other local governments.
Aug. 31: The city’s legal challenge against Bill 5 is heard in a Toronto court and Ontario Superior Court Justice Edward Belobaba promises a speedy ruling.
Sept. 10: Belobaba strikes down Bill 5 on the grounds that it violates freedom of expression for candidates and voters. Ford announces he will invoke a constitutional provision known as the notwithstanding clause in reintroduced councilcutting legislation to override the ruling. The premier also says the province will appeal.
Sept. 12: The province introduces Bill 31, which is largely the same as Bill 5 but with the notwithstanding clause. It’s the first time in Ontario history the provision is being used.
Sept. 13: Toronto city council holds a meeting on how it can respond to Bill 31. City clerk Ulli Watkiss says it’s becoming virtually impossible to ensure a fair election on Oct. 22.
Sept. 15: Ford holds a rare Saturday sitting of the legislature to continue discussion of Bill 31. Sept. 17: The government holds an overnight session to debate Bill 31. Ford says the unusual sittings are necessary to expedite passage of the bill.
Sept. 18: Lawyers for the province appear before the Ontario Court of Appeal seeking a stay of Belobaba’s decision in a bid to put his ruling on hold and allow Bill 5 to stand.
Sept. 19: The Appeal Court rules in the province’s favour, meaning city staff can immediately focus on planning a 25-ward election and abandon the 47-ward model revived by Belobaba’s decision. The PCs say they won’t hold a vote on Bill 31 in light of the ruling.