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Premier Kathleen Wynne says province could intervene in Rob Ford affair if called on by Toronto council

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne speaks to the media at Queen's Park in Toronto on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2013. Canada is headed for a "huge economic crisis" if the provinces and federal government don't take action now to improve retirement incomes, Wynne warned Tuesday." THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne handed Toronto city councillors an apparent roadmap outlining how to remove Mayor Rob Ford from office, although she expressed trepidation at the idea of the province getting involved.

"As I have said from day one, we have been watching this situation closely and listening carefully," Wynne told reporters at Queen's Park. "Events obviously continue to move quickly. The things we are seeing and hearing about Mayor Rob Ford are truly disturbing."

Wynne said that, as premier, there are several principles which she must adhere to in this situation.

First, Toronto has a mayor and council elected by the people and it is "up to the municipal level of government to address the issues that they face." She said it is not the province's intention to get involved.

However, Toronto city council has to be able to function. If council clearly indicates to the province that they are unable to cope under the ongoing crisis, the province would be open to considering all options.

Lastly, Wynne said that if Toronto council formally asks for assistance, she would consult with PC Leader Tim Hudak and NDP Leader Andrea Horwath to see if they could come to a unanimous decision on how to move forward.

"The last thing this terrible situation needs is a layer of partisan politics. Within Ontario's legislature and across this city, we all have to stand together to represent the best interests of the people," Wynne said.

"Toronto is greater than one politician or one government. Ontario is greater than one politician or one government."

On Wednesday, city council approved a motion that formally urged the mayor to step down and seek treatment for substance abuse. Councillors considered including a request for the province to intervene, but ultimately decided to handle the situation themselves.

Following another day of controversy, many on council are now more forcefully calling for Ford to resign, and presumably more open to asking the province to intervene.

Presuming council eventually asks the province to step in, the next major hurdle is bringing Hudak on side. The Ontario PCs have long been allied with the Ford family. Rob's father was a Conservative MPP and his brother, Coun. Doug Ford, is considered a potential candidate in the near future. One wonders if Hudak is yet willing to cut ties with Rob Ford, considering the fallout it might have in Ford Nation.

But the major question is what, exactly, would the province be capable of doing.

The Globe and Mail has reported that the only way the mayor can be removed from office is following a criminal conviction or if he or she misses too many council meetings.

That is ensured by the Municipal Elections Act and the City of Toronto Act.

Presumably, the province has the ability to adjust those laws, and if Toronto is truly in a crisis it is probably that a unified Queen's Park could fast-track the process.