John Tory ousts Vince Crisanti as deputy mayor after comments supporting mayoral rival Ford

John Tory has ousted his Etobicoke deputy mayor,Vince Crisanti, after the councillor publicly backed the Toronto mayor's rival Doug Ford at his annual Ford Fest.

Tory hasreplaced Crisanti, who represents Ward 1, Etobicoke North,with Coun. Stephen Holyday.

"I thank CouncillorCrisanti for his time in this position," Tory said in a statement Tuesday.

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"But based on his words and actions over the past few days, he has clearly stated he does not support my administration and intends to campaign for another candidate who has an approach that I believe will take the city backwards."

The move comes after Crisanti, who had been in the rolesince 2014,publicly voiced his support for Fordon Friday night, whenthe former Ward 2 councillor and brother of the late RobFord announced he was launching a mayoral run.

"If anybody out there doubts the power of Ford Nation, just come here tonight ... I got first elected in 2010 with the support of Rob Ford and I'mhere today because of the Fords and I want to thank them," Crisantitold the Ford Festcrowd.

Doug Ford stepped into the mayoral race in September 2014 afterRob Ford was forced to drop out due to a cancer diagnosis. He finished second to Tory with about 34 per cent of the vote. Rob Ford then entered the council race for Ward 2, EtobicokeNorth, which hewon handily.

The former mayor diedin March 2016.

In his statement, Tory said while he doesn't expect to agree with his deputy mayors "on every issue or every stance, I do expect that they are committed to my overall vision of buildinga stronger, fairer Toronto."

In the 2014 mayoral election, Ford carriedCrisanti'swardby a margin of 9,000 votes.

On Tuesday evening, Coun. Michael Ford Doug Ford's nephewreacted to the decision, calling it one "purely based on politics and not on merit."

"Councillor Crisanti has done an admirable job as deputy mayor for western Toronto and delivered real results, but that did not matter to Mayor Tory," he said.

Michael Ford won Ward 2, which had been left vacant after his uncle Rob Ford's death, in a byelectionin July2016.