Toronto’s former deputy mayor will be presented today with a key to the city by Mayor Rob Ford.  Doug Holyday was recently elected as Member of Provincial Parliament for Etobicoke-Lakeshore after serving as a Toronto city councillor for Etobicoke Centre since 1997.  71 year old Doug Holyday is a lifelong resident of Etobicoke and was Mayor of the former city of Etobicoke.  A statement from Mayor Ford’s office says the act of giving the key to the City of Toronto is symbolic and involves the presentation of a ceremonial key to honour the outstanding civic contributions of the recipients.  Doug Holyday will be honoured at 2 this afternoon in the Members Lounge of the Council Chamber at Toronto City Hall.

Meanwhile, city council will meet next week to decide whether to fill Holyday’s seat on council by appointment or by-election. Council is said to be divided on which way to go, but a city clerk’s report says there is a guideline that any vacancy that occurs before November 30th in the year prior to a municipal vote should be filled by by-election.