Toronto lawyer Clay Ruby says he will seek leave to appeal today’s decision restoring Mayor to office to the Supreme Court of Canada.  Seeking leave to appeal means that Mr. Ruby. and his client Paul Magder, will  have to persuade the Supreme Court that this case is of sufficient importance and interest, having not just a local impact but implications for broader law, that they should be granted the opportunity to appeal it. They have no automatic right of appeal.

A three-judge panel of Ontario Divisional Court has granted the appeal of Mayor Rob Ford of the lower court judgement which had ordered him from office. Thus Mayor Ford is restored to the office of chief magistrate and will serve out his term to the next election. The court found that Judge Hackland erred in his original decision and that decision is dismissed   The 15-page decision, with no dissent, indicates that there was no conflict of interest because the mayor had no pecuniary interest in the outcome of the council decision. The judges in the appeal were Regional Senior Justice Edward Then, Justice Lynne Leitch, and Justice Katherine Swinton.  CBC

Giorgio Mammoliti  (Ward 7 York West) has made statements which suggest a criminal conspiracy intended to discredit him and others. It appears however that so far, at least, Mr Mammoliti has the most feeble of cases to support such a concern. He says “when I can prove it, I’ll be going to the police.”  There may well be many people interested in discrediting the city councillor. He has clearly identified political opponents who play hardball — maybe even a little dirty. The issue however is whether anyone is committing a crime.  Mr. Mammoliti refers to phone tapping and people following him. But he is unable to prove it. Tapping phones is clearly illegal.  Surveillance is frequently ripe for prosecution as harassment. His  opponents at City Hall are laughing at Mr. Mammoliti.  This sadly is what you get for raising such concerns without any proof.  

Are  some German-made cars more prone to engine problems?  A study from a U.K. warranty service provider claims German powerhouses Audi, BMW and Volkswagen all finished in the bottom 10 of 36 European-market brands. Honda was shown to be among the most reliable. Auto Express.

Until groups of mothers start conspiring to clog the TTC with convoys of baby strollers everyone should really stand down on this issue. We call it an issue but it seems like a rather petty, mean-minded complaint. To be sure, from time to time, some riders will be inconvenienced by strollers. Fortunately, TTC boss Andy Byford is  a source of good judgment here. Operators should use their discretion and so should passengers. It isn’t an abuse of the TTC for a woman to take her child and stroller on a bus or streetcar. It seems most people agree. What a complaining lot some have become.