Close X
Tuesday, November 5, 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

    Melania Trump meets Prince Harry, Trudeau on solo trip to Toronto

    Melania Trump meets Prince Harry, Trudeau on solo trip to Toronto
    U.S. first lady Melania Trump encouraged the American team participating in an Olympic-style competition for wounded service members and veterans to take their "fighting spirit" and "bring home the gold."

    Melania Trump meets Prince Harry, Trudeau on solo trip to Toronto

    Tax changes to make system fair not stifle business growth: Trudeau

    Tax changes to make system fair not stifle business growth: Trudeau
    Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the government has no intention of stifling growth for small businesses and start-ups with its upcoming changes to the tax code.

    Tax changes to make system fair not stifle business growth: Trudeau

    Trudeau urges Canadian companies to seek fortune in China's $5 trillion market

    Trudeau urges Canadian companies to seek fortune in China's $5 trillion market
    Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called on Canada's small-and-medium sized businesses to embrace globalization and help deepen what he termed the "Canada-China friendship" by exploring the market potential of selling to its half-billion increasingly spend-happy consumers.

    Trudeau urges Canadian companies to seek fortune in China's $5 trillion market

    Suspect in Quebec Amber Alert case makes brief initial court appearance

    The 41-year-old father at the heart of an Amber Alert in Quebec earlier this month was hunched over, eyes fixed to the ground as he made his first appearance in court Monday.

    Suspect in Quebec Amber Alert case makes brief initial court appearance

    Attention intensifies around Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at Invictus Games

    Attention intensifies around Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at Invictus Games
    he appearance of Prince Harry's girlfriend over the weekend at the opening ceremonies of the Invictus Games in Toronto continues to be scrutinized by royal watchers, who have commented on everything from how far they sat from each other to where the American actress purchased her outfit.

    Attention intensifies around Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at Invictus Games

    Prince Harry greets Canadian winners of the Duke of Edinburgh's Awards

    Prince Harry greets Canadian winners of the Duke of Edinburgh's Awards
    The energy Prince Harry generated at the Invictus Games' opening ceremony concert on Saturday night spilled over to Sunday, when the prince met with dozens of high-achieving Canadian youth at the presentation of The Duke of Edinburgh's International Gold Awards.

    Prince Harry greets Canadian winners of the Duke of Edinburgh's Awards