Ford’s axing of Toronto council stirs debate here

City hall opposition wants Montreal to declare a motion against Doug Ford’s plans to cut down Toronto city council. I haven’t followed this story on the blog because it isn’t happening here, but most news readers will be aware of Ford’s plan to invoke the notwithstanding clause to enable his putsch against Ontario’s biggest city – and we may soon be facing a similar move by François Legault here. Legault’s intention not only to do a Ford on Montreal’s council but reduce the influx of immigrants that power this city could damage Montreal in a way we have not seen since the last century.

If Justin Trudeau is faced with new, powerful right-wing premiers willing to invoke the notwithstanding clause to enforce policies hostile to democracy, I wonder what he will do.

Update: Montreal’s council voted unanimously to condemn Ford’s action.