Hordes of protesters shouted to be allowed inside the Ontario legislature as provincial politicians gathered for a rare midnight sitting to speed up the passage of a controversial bill to cut Toronto's city council nearly in half.
Protesters also voiced their opposition to the bill inside Queen's Park, heckling Progressive Conservative legislators with cries of ``shame, shame'' until the Speaker cleared the public galleries.
People who'd lined up to observe the overnight debate voiced their outrage at being shut out of the process, chanting ``Let us in!'' and ``Our city, not Ford's!''
The Ontario government cited the need for urgent action in justifying the late-night sitting, saying passing the bill -- which would reduce council to 25 seats from 47 -- would eliminate any uncertainty surrounding the October 22nd municipal vote.
An earlier version of the bill was struck down as unconstitutional by an Ontario Superior Court judge, prompting Premier Doug Ford to invoke a rare provision known as the notwithstanding clause to override the ruling and reintroduce the legislation.
Ford's use of the provision has been denounced by the opposition parties, prominent Canadian politicians and hundreds of legal professionals.