Close X
Wednesday, November 6, 2024
ADVT 
National

Toronto's mayor recommends stadium be renamed to honour Rob Ford

Darpan News Desk, 29 Sep, 2017 11:17 AM

    The mayor of Toronto is recommending that a stadium be named after his infamous predecessor — the late Rob Ford.

    In a letter to council, John Tory calls for the renaming of a stadium at Centennial Park, in the city's west end, to Rob Ford Memorial Stadium.

    Tory notes that Ford, who was a lifelong west-end resident, became known for his "unique approach to public service" after being elected to city council in November 2000 and he carried it on after being elected mayor in 2010.

    But he says Ford's community involvement went well beyond politics, and his passion for football led him to found the Newtonbrook North Stars in 1999 and a highly successful football program at Don Bosco Catholic Secondary School in 2002. He also established the Rob Ford Football Foundation, a program that helps fund football programs in high schools across the city.

    Tory says it would be fitting, in light of Ford's many years of work on football programs, to ename a football stadium to honour Ford, who died in March 2016 from a rare and aggressive form of cancer.

    Ford became a certified celebrity in light of his admitted crack cocaine use, alcohol abuse, lewd comments and at times outrageous behaviour that transformed his mayoral office into an unprecedented spectacle.

    Ford, whose clarion call was "time to stop the gravy train," died at age 46, 18 months after a cancer diagnosis scuttled his bid for a second term as mayor, although he easily won election as a councillor in his west-end ward.

    Tory also is recommending council honour two other city council members who have died recently — deputy mayor Pam McConnell, and Coun. Ron Moeser.

    In consultation with the McConnell and Moeser families, Tory said he would convene panels of councillors and community members in order to determine suitable public properties that could be renamed in their memory.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    India becomes fastest growing market for Brand USA, too

    India becomes fastest growing market for Brand USA, too
    The Indian outbound traveller is now a much-coveted commodity around the world, as the country's booming middle class seeks new destinations and emerges as a key market.

    India becomes fastest growing market for Brand USA, too

    Victim Laughed At Shooter Before Being Shot Inside Busy Toronto Restaurant

    Victim Laughed At Shooter Before Being Shot Inside Busy Toronto Restaurant
    TORONTO — A Toronto restaurant owner says a man who was fatally shot at his establishment over the weekend laughed at his attacker immediately before bullets were fired.

    Victim Laughed At Shooter Before Being Shot Inside Busy Toronto Restaurant

    PM Trudeau Says He Sent A Letter To Aung San Suu Kyi On Violence Against Rohingya Muslims

    PM Trudeau Says He Sent A Letter To Aung San Suu Kyi On Violence Against Rohingya Muslims
    OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he has once again reached out to Aung San Suu Kyi about the atrocities being committed against Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar.

    PM Trudeau Says He Sent A Letter To Aung San Suu Kyi On Violence Against Rohingya Muslims

    Sirsa Dera Violence: Honeypreet Tops Police's Most Wanted List

    Sirsa Dera Violence: Honeypreet Tops Police's Most Wanted List
    The Haryana Police on Monday released a list of the most wanted people for the violence by Dera Sacha Sauda sect followers last month. Sect Chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh's close aide Honeypreet Kaur tops the list.

    Sirsa Dera Violence: Honeypreet Tops Police's Most Wanted List

    Large-Scale Farm Created Amid Poverty, Pavement In Vancouver's Downtown Eastside

    Large-Scale Farm Created Amid Poverty, Pavement In Vancouver's Downtown Eastside
    Michael Ableman has achieved something many thought impossible: creating thriving urban farms on pavement and contaminated soil in one of Canada's poorest neighbourhoods.

    Large-Scale Farm Created Amid Poverty, Pavement In Vancouver's Downtown Eastside

    Controversial House Of Commons Study On Islamophobia Begins

    Controversial House Of Commons Study On Islamophobia Begins
    OTTAWA — Phase two begins this week in the House of Commons' politically charged debate over combating Islamophobia in Canada.

    Controversial House Of Commons Study On Islamophobia Begins