Mayor Rob Ford has shuffled his executive committee, booting one councillor who recently called on him to take a temporary leave, and demoting another who went public with allegations that he was intoxicated in public.
In a statement released late Monday afternoon, Ford announced that he had removed Councillor Jaye Robinson from her post as chair of the community development and recreation committee. The mayor appointed Robinson to the position in December, but she has since run afoul of the administration. Two weeks ago she called on Ford to step aside until the drug scandal plaguing his office had been cleared up.
Anthony Perruzza, a left-leaning councillor for York West, will replace her.
Robinson’s removal as chair of the community development committee means she will also lose her spot on the mayor’s cabinet-like executive. She was the only female member of the 13-member group.
The mayor has also demoted Councillor Paul Ainslie from his role as head of the government management committee. Ainslie had been drifting away from the mayor at least since March, when he told the Toronto Star that Ford was asked to leave a military gala because guests were concerned he was intoxicated.
Ainslie will switch roles with Councillor Norm Kelly, a loyal Ford ally who had been chairing the parks committee, which generally has a lighter agenda than government management. In his role as parks chair, Ainslie will retain a spot on Ford’s executive.
“These changes will help my administration continue delivering results for the taxpayers of Toronto,” the mayor said in his statement.
Robinson will hold a press conference at 9 a.m. Tuesday morning to address her removal from the executive.
