On Wednesday afternoon, Toronto’s city council was given the tough work of voting on two proposals: (1) Should the legislative body extend congratulations to “all of Canada’s Olympic and Paralympic athletes for their inspiring performances” at this year’s Sochi Games? And (2) Should they allow a section of a “prominent” city street to be named after Nelson Mandela? Both passed 40–1. The lone dissenter? Good times guy and mayor Rob Ford, who, the Toronto Star reports, initially “did not explain his opposition” to the measures.
Apparently, Ford will sometimes vote against minor motions because they might cost taxpayers money or, according to what one council member told reporters, out of “disdain” for the person who introduced it. However, the mayor’s chief of staff, Dan Jacobs, insisted that his boss stood up against Canada’s athletes and Mandela “in error.” Ford asked to reopen the legislation so he could correct his mistake, but he was reportedly prevented from doing so because some council members had already walked out of the chamber, much as people do when they’re trying to avoid being the last one stuck in a room with a party’s most out-of-it and obnoxious attendee.
