Mayor Promises To Deal With Occupy Toronto Protest

Rob Ford

First Posted: 11/02/11 06:55 PM ET Updated: 11/04/11 09:25 AM ET


Toronto Mayor Rob Ford is expected to meet with city officials this week to look for a peaceful way to end the Occupy Toronto protest at St. James Park.


Hundreds of tents - including three $20,000 yurts paid for by a local union - dot the park at the corner of Church Street and King Street East.


Occupy Toronto, now in its 19th day, has morphed into a makeshift community complete with a library, food supplies and about two dozen portable toilets.


Bryan Sutherland, 27, has been living in the park for the past two weeks. He says he plans to stay through the winter.


"My plan is to stay as long as it's possible," said Sutherland. "Most of us are trying to work with the community so we're a non-invasive occupation." But area business owners are not pleased and have complained to city hall.


"They're still residing in that park against the law," said Patrick McMurray who owns a restaurant across the street from the park.


He says he's losing business because customers are afraid to come downtown.


In response to his concerns, McMurray received an email this week from Ford saying, "When it is determined that we no longer have a peaceful protest, but rather an occupation of the park, we will consider options to remove the individuals who are camping in the park."


Ford said Tuesday that he's working to resolve the issue.


“We're working on a plan with staff. We're gonna have a concrete answer in a few days,” he said.


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Toronto Mayor Rob Ford is expected to meet with city officials this week to look for a peaceful way to end the Occupy Toronto protest at St. James Park. Hundreds of tents - in...
Toronto Mayor Rob Ford is expected to meet with city officials this week to look for a peaceful way to end the Occupy Toronto protest at St. James Park. Hundreds of tents - in...
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yer
Stop the Alberta Taliban
08:59 PM on 11/07/2011
yes there's a very well heeled restaurant across the way, so not surprised that the Canadian 1% are not amused. However the protesters need only wave a plastic sword at Ford and he'll run away crying... then call 911
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
katybird241
You cannot eat money.
11:54 AM on 11/04/2011
Are people genuinely scared to come downtown because of a protest? This has been an incredibly peaceful gathering and anyone that is frightened by it should probably put on their big kid pull-ups and brave the wide world. Honestly.

Hey Mayor Ford! We're your constituents too, and we have the right to voice our concerns!
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
cameron d
Good Guys Win
08:43 PM on 11/03/2011
If they're forced to leave I say they move it to Occupy Etobicoke, preferably Rob Ford's neighbourhood.
09:48 PM on 11/03/2011
No!! He might call 911 on them.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
cameron d
Good Guys Win
12:29 AM on 11/04/2011
Tear gas in the suburbs?
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
anugs
12:10 PM on 11/03/2011
Don't worry Mr. Mayor, the weather will take care of these free loaders. The first snow storm and minus 20 degree temperatures and these bums will abandon this place like rats deserting a sinking ship.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
katybird241
You cannot eat money.
11:55 AM on 11/04/2011
What makes them bums and freeloaders?
yer
Stop the Alberta Taliban
09:05 PM on 11/07/2011
Wow, a Ford supporter. Which means you don't even live downtown anyway. Which means you're devoid of the issues or the people themselves, much like Ford. He clearly has never had any other job except his daddy's and his whole family isn't even aware of Canadian culture. The bums you say.
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gwinegarden
She's an Arctic Wolf
11:02 AM on 11/03/2011
He's going to invite you all to his house and then call 911.
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montezaro
09:13 AM on 11/03/2011
Electing Ford for the mayor is just the proof of the state of the mind (brainwashed by the media) of the majority of Torontonians. Another proof: most of the comments are about his appearance.
09:51 AM on 11/03/2011
Rob Ford is the General Patton of this era. He will find a way to put pressure on those freeloaders. So much so, they will have to get out of Dodge .
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shediac
10:58 AM on 11/03/2011
Folks on this site best be careful...brave Mr. Ford will call 911.
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dtrobert
07:48 AM on 11/03/2011
"When we have determined..." = "When we have found a way to plant evidence that..."
HUFFPOST COMMUNITY MODERATOR
Maxirules
02:37 AM on 11/03/2011
Yeah... He has found solutions for all the city problems..

Gravy Train - solved
Waterfront - solved
Budget Shortfalls - solved
12:38 PM on 11/03/2011
I'll assume sarcasm in those words. Otherwise, you make no sense.
01:54 AM on 11/03/2011
Leftie solution to Occupy Toronto, more Rob Ford fat jokes. Profound.
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
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02:36 AM on 11/03/2011
Did he suddenly lose weight?
03:56 AM on 11/03/2011
Where's the beef?
12:05 PM on 11/03/2011
Between your ears
12:18 AM on 11/03/2011
I seriously find my self offended by pictures of Ford where there is no warning so the viewer doesn't have to look. I am not allowed to use many words and say many things yet HuffPo has the right to show a raw picture of Ford. And it doesn't help the Leafs that he is wearing one of their sweaters. They have enough problems.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
tnanimation
01:16 AM on 11/03/2011
Actually, Leafs are in first place in their division right now.
As for Ford, well, can't wait for his next gaffe.
01:55 AM on 11/03/2011
Did you actually read the story or just look at the picture.
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CarlyQ
Without followers, evil cannot spread.
12:06 AM on 11/03/2011
If any mayor out there in the world is going to blow it trying to deal with OWS, it will be Ford.
06:46 AM on 11/03/2011
so true......
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
stanschurman
11:49 PM on 11/02/2011
He'll walk among them with his armpits exposed. Those not driven insane or overcome with nausea will by hustled into a single paddy wagon.
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11:39 PM on 11/02/2011
Ford plans to sit on them and give them wedgies until they run home to their mommies.

Cuz that's what bullies do. yeeeaaahhh
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shediac
11:01 AM on 11/03/2011
Yup brave Mr. Ford...he had better bring his cell phone in case he runs up against a 60 year old lady with a plastic sword.
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cameron d
Good Guys Win
08:59 PM on 11/02/2011
"He (Patrick McMurray) says he's losing business because customers are afraid to come downtown."

That's cr@p and he knows it. No one is avoiding downtown. No one.
09:46 PM on 11/02/2011
You beat me to it by 40 minutes.

McMurray ought to whine about the business he's losing now and in the future because people had their savings plundered by Wall Street.
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cameron d
Good Guys Win
09:51 PM on 11/02/2011
I live down town. It's exactly the same it was here last November. If he's losing business it'd because the colder weather is starting and people and foot traffic isn't exactly the same as it was in July.
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haddanuff
Progressives think 'We' while cons think "Me"
08:59 PM on 11/02/2011
That Leafs jersey does not fit that man.

Maybe the team bus?
11:24 PM on 11/02/2011
Still a bit snug. How about the arena?
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haddanuff
Progressives think 'We' while cons think "Me"
11:33 PM on 11/02/2011
He still might have to get it tailored.
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Northern Observer
08:52 AM on 11/03/2011
and that's a goalie jersey.