Judge clarifies Ford ruling

Nov 30, 2012 | News

Compiled by Stacey Thompson

Rob Ford will be able to run in a by-election if he loses his appeal of the ruling that ousted him as Toronto’s mayor, The Globe and Mail reports.

Ford will be able to run in a by-election if his appeal falls through. COURTSEY WIKKICOMMONS.

Ontario Superior Court Justice Charles Hackland clarified his ruling Friday morning during a conference call with Ford’s lawyers, the National Post reports.

Toronto Star reported that Justice Hackland agreed to remove a section of his decision that would have caused Ford only to be eligible for reelection in 2014.

“In the final sentence of paragraph 60, the words ‘beyond the current term’ are deleted,” Justice Hackland wrote in his clarification which was  published in the Globe and Mail.

“The corrected sentence shall now read:  ‘In view of the significant mitigating circumstances surrounding the respondent’s actions, as set out in paragraph 48 of these reasons, I decline to impose any further disqualification from holding office,’” Justice Hackland wrote.

Ford’s legal team is appealing Hackland’s ruling which was released Monday. Hackland found Ford violated municipal conflict-of-interest legislation. The appeal is expected to be heard Jan. 7, reported the National Post.

The National Post reported there is still speculation over who will run to possibly replace Ford if he should be removed from office.