After a day in which municipal politicians learned Premier Doug Ford's plans to cut the size of council nearly in half, the week-long council session became extremely heated its final moments Friday evening.
Mayor John Tory was quick to respond to Ward 19 councillor Mike Layton, who earlier accused Tory of already being aware of Ford's plan before the announcement this morning.
"I was honest today," Tory said. "I was honest in talking about exactly what I knew which was not much."
He then said Layton should be ashamed of himself, as he demeans both City Hall and him, "but more importantly, you demean yourself when you get up and call my integrity into question."
Tory tried to continue but was interrupted by Layton, at which point he demanded an apology, telling Layton "get up and say it if you have the balls to say it."
Meantime, crowds of people from a dinner-hour protest outside city hall began streaming into council chambers towards the end of Friday's meeting, booing and cheering on Tory and city councillors.
The crowd of a few hundred people gathered at Nathan Phillips Square to protest Ford's move to cut Toronto's wards and councillors, bringing the number from 47 down to 25.
NDP and opposition leader Andrea Horwath was one of several elected officials who spoke, saying Doug Ford is trying to "consolidate power for himself at Queen's Park because he couldn't win an election here in Toronto for mayor."
Liberal MPP for Scarborough-Guildwood, Mitzie Hunter also spoke, saying the type of city Torontonians have is "shaped by the will of the people, not by one person."
Councillors, including Ward 14's Gord Perks, were also in attendance.
Once the crowds made their way inside, some sat in the chamber while others chanted, cheered and showed their support for city councillors as they left the building for the weekend, repeating "47!" over and over again.