Rob Ford sound bites from city council budget meeting

A special meeting of Toronto City Council to debate service cuts and the 2012 budget proved a good chance for councillors to probe Mayor Rob Ford on items that are on the chopping block and a whole lot more. Throughout the morning session, the mayor replied to a litany of questions from his colleagues on council, which not surprisingly produced some noteworthy sound bites. Here are few for your delectation:

"Right now our financial foundation is crumbling. If we don't fix this financial foundation now, our dreams for the future will collapse." — Ford sets the tone with his opening speech.

"I think I'm doing well. If there was an election today, I truly believe I would be re-elected." — On his tumbling approval rating.

"Transit City ruined this city." — But wait, didn't he kill Transit City?

"This number is absolutely the real number." — On the $774-million budgetary deficit that pretty much everyone, including City Manager Joe Pennachetti, has indicated is likely closer to $500-million

"You might as well kiss this city goodbye... You are going to put people out of their homes." — On the possibility of using a major property tax hike to make up the shortfall.

For more on today and tomorrow's special meeting, check out the Globe and the Star's liveblogs.