Close X
Saturday, November 23, 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

    Toronto-Montreal In 39 Minutes? Hyperloop Judges Say This Route Is A Winner

    Toronto-Montreal In 39 Minutes? Hyperloop Judges Say This Route Is A Winner
    The Toronto-Montreal corridor has taken the prize as one of the strongest candidates in the world for a hyperloop system that could cut travel time between the cities from five hours to just 39 minutes.

    Toronto-Montreal In 39 Minutes? Hyperloop Judges Say This Route Is A Winner

    Lawyers Urge Suspended Sentence For Calgary Woman Who Faked Cancer Diagnosis

    Lawyers Urge Suspended Sentence For Calgary Woman Who Faked Cancer Diagnosis
    CALGARY — A Calgary woman who pretended to have cancer and claimed to be a Fort McMurray wildfire evacuee to cash in on donations will not be going to jail.

    Lawyers Urge Suspended Sentence For Calgary Woman Who Faked Cancer Diagnosis

    Hollywood Director James Cameron Invests In Saskatchewan Pea-Processing Plant

    Hollywood Director James Cameron Invests In Saskatchewan Pea-Processing Plant
    VANSCOY, Sask. — Hollywood director James Cameron and his wife Suzy Amis Cameron have announced they are investing in an organic pea-processing plant in Saskatchewan.

    Hollywood Director James Cameron Invests In Saskatchewan Pea-Processing Plant

    Omar Khadr Visits With Sister Remain Restricted, But Can Use Internet Freely

    EDMONTON — Former Guantanamo Bay detainee Omar Khadr has been denied unsupervised visits with his controversial older sister who has expressed support for al-Qaida.

    Omar Khadr Visits With Sister Remain Restricted, But Can Use Internet Freely

    Chief Calls To End Moose Hunt In B.C. Following Wildfires, Habitat Loss

    WILLIAMS LAKE, B.C. — A First Nations chief is calling on the British Columbia government to halt the moose hunt this year, arguing the historic wildfire season has caused enough trauma to the species.

    Chief Calls To End Moose Hunt In B.C. Following Wildfires, Habitat Loss

    University Of British Columbia Faces New Sexual Assault Human-Rights Complaint

    University Of British Columbia Faces New Sexual Assault Human-Rights Complaint
    VANCOUVER — Stephanie Hale remembers jumping up and down and crying tears of joy when she received her acceptance letter from the University of British Columbia.

    University Of British Columbia Faces New Sexual Assault Human-Rights Complaint