Mayor Rob Ford gives Doug Holyday key to the city

TORONTO - Mayor Rob Ford lauded Doug Holyday Tuesday for standing by him “through thick and thin.”

Ford made the heartfelt comments while presenting the key to the city to his departing deputy mayor.

Calling Holyday a “friend and a mentor,” Ford saluted the newly-elected Etobicoke-Lakeshore PC MPP for his service to the city.

“Doug always, always stands for what is right,” Ford said. “Taxpayers are happy to know they have Doug Holyday in their corner fighting for them every single day.”

Holyday has often found himself defending Ford while the civic leader dodged reporters and ducked questions about his political and personal controversies.

“If I had to describe Doug Holyday in one word, I would choose the word ‘solid’, as solid as they come,” Ford said. “As my deputy mayor, Doug stood beside me through thick and thin. Very, very few people would do that.”

Holyday acknowledged being Ford’s deputy was a tough job at times.

“Every single day was a new day, the phone would ring at 6:15 a.m. or sometimes earlier and the media would be wanting to know about this or that, something would have happened overnight that I hadn’t even have heard of,” Holyday said.

“Anyways, Rob it certainly has not been dull, it’s been exciting.”

Holyday said Ford’s administration was on the “right track."

“I think you’ll do well. I think you’ll do well because you’re doing the right thing for the taxpayer and the citizens of Toronto and I think that’s the most important thing,” he said.

“I just urge you to keep your nose to the grindstone and get it done.”

A sign of Holyday’s new job and the scrutiny to come was present during the ceremony. A staff member from the provincial Liberals’ caucus services watched the presentation and recorded the speeches.
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