The province has tabled legislation, that would see the number of councillors in Toronto reduced from the planned 47 to 25, just ahead of the October election.

Meanwhile, city council has approved a motion from Mayor John Tory to request a referendum on the issue.  

It passed by a vote of 28-13.

Many councillors oppose the plan along with opposition MPPs, who say Ford did not campaign on the issue.

However, the premier says after speaking to voters he believes he has a mandate to make this change.

”I talked to tens of thousands of people across this province.  I talked to thousands of people in Toronto and every single person I spoke to in Toronto said city hall is dysfunctional,” said Ford.

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath continues to accuse the premier of ”abusing his power.”