Newly elected Etobicoke North councillor Michael Ford sat down with Mayor John Tory on Wednesday in one of his first official acts since being sworn in.
Ford, who earned about 70 per cent of the vote in a byelection on Monday, met with Tory for about an hour and emerged from the meeting promising to hold similar discussions with “other stakeholders at city hall.”
The meeting came after Ford officially took the declaration of office as councillor for Ward 2.
“We had a good conversation about community investment, development in Etobicoke North, transit and taxes, amongst many other things,” Ford said. “It was just an open ended conversation. I think there are a lot more conversations to be had with city staff and other stakeholders at city hall.”
The late Rob Ford had an at times combative relationship with Tory, often clashing with him on matters of policy, but on Wednesday Michael Ford said he has an “open-minded approach” and is hopeful he will be able to work with the mayor.
“My priority is Etobicoke North and the residents. If the mayor and city council have the interest of my community at heart I will go above and beyond the call of duty to work with them and move Etobicoke forward,” he said. “If it is not within the best interest of my community, though, I will make it known that I am against whatever it may be and hold them to account.”
Ford was asked whether he discussed possible committee appointments with Tory but he said that it did not come up during the meeting.
Most city councillors sit on at least one standing committee.
