Rob Ford says it’s about time Occupy Toronto protesters moved on—but can the city actually evict them?

Mayor Rob Ford’s mysterious plan regarding the Occupy Toronto protesters is taking a while to hatch, but we do have some hints about where things may be heading. “Over the next few weeks, we will see an end to this matter,” Deputy Mayor Doug Holyday said yesterday. Then, today, Ford noted ominously that “they’ve had a peaceful protest but I think it’s time that we ask them to leave. I think it’s time that we ask the protesters to move on.” But if Ford is indeed going to oust the protesters, things could get complicated. The Occupy camp is located next to St. James Cathedral, on a mix of city- and church-owned land, and one lawyer says that while the city maintains the “upper hand” in the situation, the church’s support for the protest might make things messy. Of course, the protesters won’t be easily deterred—a media relations officer indicated that there are “several venues in the downtown area” they can move if needed and the group will fight any attempt at eviction. Plus, we’ll wager that after they’ve received donations of generators, yurts, a professional food truck and portable toilets, there might be some legal folk willing to lend the occupiers a hand. Read the entire story [Toronto Star] »