TORONTO, Ont. – It was a heated day at City Hall, Wednesday, with councillors quickly discussing the ombudsman’s report while attempting to leave by 4:30 p.m. in order to get home in time for trick-or-treating with their children.

The report, which suggests Mayor Rob Ford’s office had a short list of preferred names for committee appointments (dubbed the ‘preferred candidates list’), prompted a heated debate.

“When you have a list like this with the purpose of influencing the final outcome on behalf of the Mayor, the process isn’t fair,” argued councillor Mike Layton, adding that the list was a clear attempt to compromise the system.

The Mayor, meanwhile, was absent from the meeting, leaving councillor Gord Perks angry, saying the only person who could answer their questions was “someone who is not in this chamber. Someone who is only person who can answer the question right now ‘what was this list for? Was the civic appointments process corrupted?’”

Moreover, councillor Adam Vaughan argued the list is proof Ford’s office actively tried to install people friendly to the mayor on committees.

“If this doesn’t smack of cronyism, what in hell does?” he asked.

On the other side of the fence, councillor and Ford ally Giorgio Mammoliti said this only gives left wing councillors one more reason to attack the Mayor.

“Happy Halloween! A wonderful witch hunt down here on Halloween,” he stated as fellow councillors laughed around him. “It’s incredible what this is turning out to be. The report that came forward by the ombudsman has turned into a witch hunt on Halloween!”

And the spooky Halloween analogies did not end there.

“We’ve got this list. We’re looking for spirits and goblins and the witch hunt in the Mayor’s office? Perhaps the Mayor should have instructed all his staff to be dressed like witches,” Mammoliti added.

Councillor Doug Ford said the day’s arguments should be a warning to anyone considering a career in public service.

“People of Toronto! Think long and hard before you want to give back to the city. You will be attacked like we’re being attacked!” he shouted.

However, after four hours of debate, council decided unanimously to vote to receive the ombudsman’s report and took no further action.

Meanwhile, some councillors took Halloween quite seriously and came to work in costume.

Glenn de Baermaeker showed up in an orange dog suit, jokingly raising his leg on some of his fellow councillors.

“Okay, councillor de Baermaeker please. Councillor de Baermaeker, can you please, please respect the proceedings at council,” speaker Frances Nunziata asked seriously, as the remaining councillors erupted in a fit of giggles.

Karen Stintz became Elvira Mistress of the dark for the day, while Denzil Minnan-Wong wore a long hat with coloured spikes on it, and Shelley Carroll sported a pumpkin orange puffy vest.