The Varsity

Toronto city councillors defeated Rob Ford and saved $15 million in proposed cuts to services on Tuesday.

The cuts would have hit daycare centres, homeless shelters, pools, and arenas that were threatened with closure and shortened hours, as well as TTC service.

The surprise omnibus motion to prevent $15 million in cuts was brought forward by Councillor Josh Colle on Tuesday morning. Progressive, centrist, and even a couple conservative councillors like Councillors Gloria Lindsay Luby and James Pasternak, who usually ally with the mayor, rallied behind Colle’s motion.

The amendment passed 23–21, resulting in one of the biggest defeats Ford has ever seen in office. A series of other proposals followed, meaning an extra $5 million will be drawn from the $154 million surplus.

Colle’s motion, however, only involved “critical” services, so other issues like Councillor Sarah Doucette’s efforts to save High Park Zoo, had to be put forward separately.