THE QUOTE

“Have you purchased illegal drugs in the last two years?” —Toronto City Councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong

“Yes, I have.” —Toronto Mayor Rob Ford

THE NEWS

Rob Ford: The spectacle continues. This morning, Ford took a grilling from many of Toronto’s city councillors. The impetus was a motion, forwarded by Councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong, that asked Ford to take a leave of absence. Councillors repeatedly pelted him with questions about whether or not he’s addicted to drugs or alcohol, and whether or not he’s sought professional help, and whether or not he understands why people might be concerned.

At one point, quasi-Ford ally Giorgio Mammoliti, a city councillor who sat beside the mayor, appeared to attempt a one-man intervention. Ford did admit to purchasing illegal drugs, and did say he’d “talked to professionals”—without elaborating on which professionals, in particular. As the lunch hour loomed, Ford and his brother Doug heckled Minnan-Wong. When Rob attempted to confront Minnan-Wong, Doug held him back.

Senate reform: The Supreme Court is hearing a second day of arguments related to its Senate reform reference. This morning, lawyers from British Columbia, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Newfoundland and Labrador, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Francophone groups have made their cases to the Supremes. The Toronto Star‘s Tonda MacCharles is tweeting (with only the briefest of pauses).

Robocalls: This morning, media outlets are challenging a publication ban related to the trial of Michael Sona, a former Conservative staffer who stands accused of participating in a scheme to misdirect voters in Guelph, Ont., during the 2011 federal election. The proceedings are ongoing inside an Ottawa courtroom just a few blocks from the Supreme Court. The CBC’s Laura Payton is tweeting.