Mere hours into the pressure-cooker job of Toronto budget chief, Mayor Rob Ford’s low-key choice for new budget chief has backtracked on an apparent pledge to try to freeze taxes in 2014.

Councillor Frank Di Giorgio, MBA'78, also suggested to reporters the city might have to consult the province if he acts on Mayor Rob Ford’s desire to cut a key city revenue source — the land transfer tax — by 10 per cent next year.

In fact, under the City of Toronto Act, the city has the power to change the rate on its own.

Shortly after Ford and his executive committee unanimously voted Di Giorgio into the post on Tuesday, the North York councillor had stood beside the mayor to answer reporters’ questions.

Read complete story at The Toronto Star.