Mayor Ford to give Doug Holyday a key to the city

Toronto City Mayor Rob Ford (left) confers with Deputy Mayor Doug Holyday attends an Executive Committee meeting at city hall in Toronto on Tuesday, May 28, 2013 (Chris Young / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford will give former deputy mayor Doug Holyday a key to the city, the mayor’s office has confirmed.

The ceremony is expected to take place Tuesday afternoon.

A long-time city councillor for Etobicoke Centre, Holyday recently stepped away from municipal politics after winning a provincial by-election in Etobicoke Lakeshore, where he ran as a Progressive Conservative candidate.

Meanwhile, a special meeting has been scheduled at Toronto city hall on Aug. 26 to decide how to replace Holyday.

If council decides to hold a byelection, it would be held on Monday, Nov. 25. It is estimated that the byelection could cost taxpayers $200,000.

Council can also opt to appoint someone to the ward to serve out the remainder of Holyday’s term.

Holyday was a fierce supporter of Mayor Ford, supporting him on multiple issues, and defending the mayor throughout his turbulent time in office.

This will be the third time the Mayor handed out a key to the city. The mayor also gave the key to McDonald's Canada founder George Cohon and Canadian boxer George Chuvalo.