Rob Ford
Robert Bruce Ford (May 28, 1969 – March 22, 2016) was a Canadian politician and businessman who served as the 64th mayor of Toronto from 2010 to 2014. Before and after his term as mayor, Ford was a city councillor representing Ward 2 Etobicoke North. He was first elected to Toronto City Council in the 2000 Toronto municipal election, and was re-elected to his council seat twice.
Rob Ford | |
|---|---|
Ford in 2013 | |
| 64th Mayor of Toronto | |
| In office December 1, 2010 – November 30, 2014 | |
| Deputy |
|
| Preceded by | David Miller |
| Succeeded by | John Tory |
| Toronto City Councillor for Ward 2 Etobicoke North | |
| In office December 1, 2014 – March 22, 2016 | |
| Preceded by | Doug Ford |
| Succeeded by | Michael Ford |
| In office November 14, 2000 – November 30, 2010 | |
| Preceded by | Ward established |
| Succeeded by | Doug Ford |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Robert Bruce Ford May 28, 1969 Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada |
| Died | March 22, 2016 (aged 46) Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Resting place | Riverside Cemetery |
| Political party | Independent (2000–2016)[a] |
| Other political affiliations | Progressive Conservative[1] |
| Spouse | Renata Brejniak (m. 2000) |
| Relations |
|
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | Carleton University (no degree) |
His political career, particularly his mayoralty, saw a number of personal and work-related controversies and legal proceedings.[2] In 2013, he became embroiled in a substance abuse scandal, which was widely reported in national and foreign media.[3][4][5] Following his admission, Ford refused to resign, but city council voted to hand over certain mayoral powers and office staff to Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly for the remainder of Ford's term.[6][7][8]
Ford took a sabbatical and received treatment for his alcohol and drug addiction. Despite the scandal, Ford initially contested the next mayoral election, scheduled for October 2014,[9] but after being hospitalized and diagnosed with an abdominal tumour in September 2014, Ford withdrew from the mayoral race and registered instead to run for his old city council seat.[10] John Tory succeeded him as mayor on December 1, 2014, while Ford regained his former seat. Ford received treatment for the cancer, and was able to return briefly to council, but died in March 2016 after chemotherapy was ineffective.
Early life edit
Ford was born in Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada, in 1969, the youngest of the four children (Doug, Kathy, Randy and Rob) of Ruth Diane (née Campbell) and Douglas Bruce Ford.[11][12] His paternal grandparents were English immigrants.[13] His father, along with Ted Herriott, was co-founder of Deco Labels and Tags,[14] which makes pressure-sensitive labels for plastic-wrapped grocery products at an estimated CA$100 million in annual sales,[15] and was a Progressive Conservative member of the Provincial Parliament (MPP) from 1995 to 1999.[16]
Ford attended Scarlett Heights Collegiate Institute in Etobicoke.[17] He dreamed of becoming a professional football player, and his father paid for him to attend special camps of the Washington Redskins and the University of Notre Dame. After graduating from high school, Ford went to Carleton University in Ottawa to study political science. He made the football squad, but did not play in any games. He left Carleton after one year to return to Toronto and did not complete his degree.[15][17] After Carleton, he started a sales job at Deco.[15] After Doug Ford Sr.'s death in 2006, the Ford family retained ownership of Deco Labels through the Doug Ford Holdings corporation.[15][18] Ford, alongside his brothers and their mother was a director of the company.[18]
In August 2000, Ford married Renata Brejniak, whom he had met in high school,[19] at All Saints Roman Catholic Church in Etobicoke. They had been dating since Brejniak's divorce from her first husband in February 1996.[20] Ford lived with Renata and their two children, Stephanie and Doug, in Etobicoke until his death in 2016.[21][22]
Political career edit
City councillor edit
Ford served three terms as city councillor from 2000 until October 2010, representing Ward 2 Etobicoke North. During his term as councillor, Ford was a strong critic of councillors' spending.[23][24] Ford was known for his controversial comments and passionate arguments at council.[25]
Ford first ran for Toronto City Council in 1997, placing fourth to Gloria Lindsay Luby in Ward 3 Kingsway-Humber. Ford ran for councillor in Ward 2 Etobicoke North in the following election in 2000, getting the endorsement of the Toronto Star.[26] Ford defeated incumbent Elizabeth Brown in what was considered one of several upsets in Etobicoke. According to Ford, "the people said they wanted change and they got change".[27]
Ward 2 is located in the north-west corner of the city in the former city of Etobicoke. The ward's population of over 50,000 in 2006 was 53% composed of immigrants, the largest group being South Asians. It is mixed in nature with 40% of dwellings being single-family detached homes and 35% being high-rise apartments.[28] It is also known as an area that has seen gang violence, including six murders in 2000.[29]
Ford had previously resided in the ward, but moved in 2000 prior to the election, after his marriage, to Ward 4. In 2003, Ford was re-elected with 80% of the vote in Ward 2,[30] defeating two candidates from the local Somali community.[31] In the 2006 election, Ford won again, defeating Somali-Canadian candidate Cadigia Ali, this time with 66% of the vote.[32]
2001 municipal budget edit
It was during the 2001 budget deliberations that Ford earned a reputation for passionate speeches. The City of Toronto was facing a several hundred million dollar budget shortfall, enough to require a 32% tax increase after the Government of Ontario shifted the delivery of services from itself to Toronto, who would have to then pay for them. Toronto Mayor Mel Lastman was pleading with other governments for financial assistance. According to Don Wanagas, the National Post City Hall columnist, the other councillors began to dread when Ford rose to speak. "I have to give my head a shake because some of the rhetoric that comes out of the mouths of some of these councillors boggles my mind, I swear. ... Get the government out of our backyards. It's ridiculous. Government red tape here. Bureaucratic here. It's nonsense having all this government. And it's nonsense. It's so ridiculous. If you don't like what the province is doing, there's going to be an election in June of '03 – before our election, by the way."[33] Councillor Anne Johnston proposed giving Ford a "neo-con award of the day", while Councillor Joe Pantalone advised Ford to take Prozac.[33] Ford argued against spending money on the suicide prevention barrier on the Prince Edward Viaduct, and spending it instead on rounding up child molesters "who are the main cause of people jumping off bridges".[33]
Ford proposed a cut to each councillor's $200,000 office budget, money for travel to conferences, ending city limousine usage and club memberships. According to Ford, "if we wiped out the perks for council members, we'd save $100 million easy."[34] Ford was one of only four councillors who voted against a 5% increase in property taxes for 2001.[35] Ford made a point of not using his allotted city budget for his office expenses, paying for the expenses from his salary. He claimed $10 for his first year, and $4 for his second year. In Ford's opinion, "all this office budget stuff is self-promotion to benefit yourself. Why should the taxpayers have to pay for it? It boggles my mind."[36]
2002 municipal budget edit
During the debates around the 2002 municipal budget, Ford and Councillor Giorgio Mammoliti got in several heated exchanges, where Mammolitti called Ford a "goon" and Ford called Mammolitti a "scammer". The argument got heated to the point where Ford called Mammolitti a "Gino-boy". Mammolitti called the insult a "racist remark" and filed a complaint with the city's human-rights office. Three councillors stated that they heard the insult said by Ford, who denied it. Ford dismissed the councillors stating that they were liars if they thought he had made a racist remark. "I'm a conservative and the majority of people are left-wing and cannot stand my politics."[37] The exchanges led Councillor Pam McConnell to complain about "testosterone poisoning" in the chamber. Ford extended his exchanges outside the chamber with columnist John Barber of The Globe and Mail: "I am not a racist. Anyone who calls me a racist is going to face the consequences!", to which Barber replied "You are a racist."[38]
2003 municipal election edit
In the 2003 municipal election, Ford endorsed twelve political candidates on a platform of fiscal responsibility to take on fellow councillors: "We just need to get rid of these lifelong politicians that just give out money to special interest groups and don't serve the community. I'm really teed off. We need to get a new council or this city is going to go down the drain."[24] Ford targeted Brian Ashton, Maria Augimeri, Sandra Bussin, Olivia Chow, Pam McConnell, Howard Moscoe[39] and Sherene Shaw.[24] Shaw was defeated by Ford's future budget chief Michael Del Grande,[30] while the rest were re-elected.[30]
Ford made a priority of responding to local constituents' problems, often returning calls himself or meeting with city staff to resolve problems.[40] In 2005, local radio station AM 640 tested councillors on their response by having a reporter make an after-hours call to report a pothole. Ford was one of only three councillors to call back in person, within a day.[41] His zeal in attending to constituents' problems became a competitive rivalry with fellow councillors Howard Moscoe and Gloria Lindsay Luby.[40][41]
In June 2006, Ford spoke out against the city donating $1.5 million to help prevent AIDS, arguing that most taxpayers should not be concerned with AIDS.[42] Ford publicly apologized for the comments in May 2010 during his mayoral campaign after his opponent, George Smitherman, called Ford's character into question over the remarks.[43] At a council meeting on March 5, 2008, Ford stated "Those Oriental people work like dogs", a remark he later formally apologized for while stating that he meant it as a compliment.[44][45]
On March 7, 2007, Ford spoke out against cyclists sharing roads with motorists, which were "built for buses, cars, and trucks, not for people on bikes".[46] As councillor, Ford opposed the installation of bike lanes on University Avenue and Jarvis Street and during his election campaign, proposed spending money on off-road cycle paths.[47] Bike lanes were installed on Jarvis in 2010 over the objection of traffic advocates, and Ford made it a priority to get them removed during his campaign. As mayor, he was able to get council to reverse the decision in 2011, a move which was criticized by cycling advocates and led to protests.[48] The Jarvis bike lanes, which cost the city $86,000 to install in 2011, were removed in December 2012 at a cost of $200,000–$300,000.[49] At the same time, physically separated bike lanes on Sherbourne Street were installed.[50] Toronto Cyclist Union president Andrea Garcia praised the Sherbourne lanes installation: "Cities all across North America that are doing way more innovative things for cyclists have been building separated bike lanes for a long time ... It's great to finally see Toronto catch up." However, she also regretted the loss of lanes on Jarvis: "People live and work and go to school on both of these streets and they all need a safe way to get to these places."[48]
2010 Toronto mayoral election edit
Ford was elected mayor with 383,501 votes (47%) over George Smitherman's 289,832 (35.6%) and Joe Pantalone with 95,482 (11.7%). The voter turnout was around 52% of registered voters, the highest in Toronto's post-amalgamation history.[51] Ward-by-ward electoral results showed that Ford had won all of the former pre-amalgamation suburbs, while Smitherman topped districts in the pre-amalgamation Toronto districts. Ford received 80,000 votes from the "Downtown 13" wards, or 20% of his total votes.[52] Ford ran on a populist platform of fiscal conservatism and subway expansion.[53] During the campaign, the scandals benefited Ford. After his driving under the influence (DUI) conviction became public, his share of the vote increased 10%. After it was revealed he was banned from high school coaching, he raised CA$25,000 in campaign contributions overnight.[54]
Mayor edit
After the election, Ford had outgoing councillor Case Ootes, a former City of Toronto budget chief, head the "transition team". From his campaign team, Ford named Nick Kouvalis as his chief of staff;[55] Mark Towhey, who had drafted his campaign platform, as his policy advisor;[56] and Adrienne Batra, his communications advisor, as press secretary.[57] Councillor Doug Holyday, who had helped elect Doug Ford Sr., was named deputy mayor.[58] For the executive committee of City Council, Ford named councillors who had endorsed him in his campaign. For the inauguration ceremony at the first meeting of the new council, Ford had television commentator Don Cherry introduce him and put the chain of office on him. Cherry garnered some controversy with his remarks. Cherry described how Ford had reversed a mistake of city staff cutting down a tree of a Toronto property owner for no good reason and then billing the property owner, who suffered from Alzheimer's. Cherry added "Put that in your pipe you left-wing kooks" and, in regards to the pink suit he was wearing, "I'm wearing pinko for all the pinkos out there that ride bicycles and everything, I thought I'd get it in."[59] At its first meeting in December 2010, the council voted to cancel the annual $60 personal vehicle registration tax passed by the previous council. The tax cancellation, a campaign promise of Ford's, took effect on January 1, 2011.[60]
During the first year in office, the council mostly endorsed Ford's proposals. Ford privatized garbage pickup west of Yonge Street. Previously, only Etobicoke had privatized waste removal. Ford's first year as mayor in 2011 saw no property tax increase, and subsequent years' increases were less than the rate of inflation.[61] Under Ford, council voted to declare the TTC an essential service. Ford reduced, but was unable to completely remove, the Miller-era land transfer tax.[62] During the summer of 2013, City Council endorsed Ford's plan to cancel the "Transit City" transit plan and build the Scarborough Subway Extension fulfilling one of Ford's main campaign promises.[63] This project was later approved and received funding both provincially and federally.[64][65][66] In later years, Council would reject Ford's transit plans, including not putting the Crosstown LRT underground for its entire route. Near the end of Ford's term, Ford's powers were reduced by Council, spurred by Ford's personal problems, most notably reports of a video showing Ford smoking crack cocaine.
Rob Ford's brother Doug Ford was the Toronto city councillor for Ward 2 Etobicoke North in Toronto from 2010 to 2014, during Rob's term as mayor.[67]
2014 election edit
Ford registered on January 2, 2014, as a candidate in the fall's mayoral election. Ford participated in several debates but went on a leave of absence in May and June to deal with his substance abuse issues after a video surfaced of him smoking crack cocaine. Ford returned from his leave of absence in July and was polling in second place, behind John Tory and ahead of Olivia Chow.[68] On September 12, 2014, Ford suddenly withdrew his candidacy due to the discovery of a tumour in his abdomen which was suspected to be, and subsequently confirmed to be cancerous. His brother Doug registered as a mayoral candidate in Ford's place and Ford instead registered as a candidate for city councillor in his old constituency of Ward 2 Etobicoke North. Doug Ford, with 33% of the vote, was defeated in the October 27 mayoral election by Tory, who received 40%, while Rob Ford was successful in Ward 2, being elected with 58% of the vote.[69] Ford's term as mayor ended on November 30, 2014. He stated that he intended to run for mayor again in 2018.[70]
Personal life edit
Football coaching edit
Ford volunteered his time to coach high school football. Ford first coached at Newtonbrook Secondary School in 2001, until he was dismissed over a dispute with a player.[71] He coached at Don Bosco Catholic Secondary School from 2001 until 2013 when the Toronto Catholic District School Board dismissed him after a controversial television interview led to a review of his coaching.[72] Ford had donated $20,000 to equip the Don Bosco team and started a foundation, called the Rob Ford Football Foundation, to fund teams at other underprivileged schools struggling to field football teams.[73]
In September 2017, Toronto Mayor John Tory, along with Councillor Stephen Holyday and the Ford family, proposed renaming Centennial Park Stadium to Rob Ford Memorial Stadium to honour Ford's coaching. City council rejected the proposal, 24–11 in a vote on October 5, 2017.[74]
Domestic disturbances edit
In 2008, after a 9-1-1 call from the Ford home, he was charged with assault and threatening to kill his wife. The Crown attorney said "there was no reasonable prospect of conviction" because there were "credibility issues" with allegations by Ford's wife due to inconsistencies in her statements. Ford said at the time that he was glad the ordeal was over and that he and his wife had sought marital counselling.[75]
In two separate incidents, on October 25, 2011, and again on December 25, 2011, police were called to Ford's home to investigate domestic disputes. During the Christmas Day incident, his mother-in-law called 9-1-1 between 4:00 – 5:00 a.m. local time as she was concerned that Ford had been drinking and was going to take his children to Florida against his wife's wishes. No charges were filed for either incident.[76] Further domestic incident calls to police occurred in 2012 and on August 27, 2013. Again, no charges were filed.[77]
Alcohol and drug addiction edit
Ford suffered from alcohol and drug addiction for many years. After the death of his father in 2006, Ford's abuse grew and led to public episodes of intoxication, followed by public denials. His episodes, which were symptomatic of alcohol and drug addiction,[78][79] were reported in the media widely, and attracted much condemnation.[79] Ford's abuse led to him being stripped of much of his powers as Toronto mayor, and he later entered drug rehabilitation.
On April 15, 2006, Ford attended a Toronto Maple Leafs hockey game at the Air Canada Centre. According to a couple nearby, Ford was intoxicated, using profanity, and insulting people. The couple then sent a detailed complaint to the City of Toronto.[80] When confronted about the episode three days later by a National Post reporter, Ford initially denied having been at the game, but later admitted it.[81] "I'm going through a few personal problems, but it doesn't justify, you know, getting drunk in public and pretty well acting like an idiot if you ask me."[82]
The death of Rob Ford's father, Doug Ford Sr., in September 2006 due to cancer has been pinpointed as the time period when Ford transitioned to crack cocaine in addition to alcohol.[83] A convicted heroin dealer who used to supply Ford's sister Kathy recalled a party with Ford around that time.[84] According to reporter Robyn Doolittle, Ford would come home at night and drink heavily, use hard drugs or prescription pills.[83]
During his 2010 mayoral campaign, a 1999 arrest of Ford in Miami, Florida, for DUI and marijuana possession became an election issue when the Toronto Star published details of the arrest. Ford pleaded no contest to the DUI charge, while the marijuana charge was withdrawn. Ford was given a fine.[85] When first confronted, Ford denied it. When presented with the arrest paperwork, Ford apologized and claimed he had forgotten about it.[54] He then announced at a press conference that he had been charged with failing to provide a breath sample, when he had been arrested and convicted of drunk driving.[54]
At Saint Patrick's Day festivities in March 2012, Ford was "very intoxicated" at City Hall and a downtown restaurant.[86] According to those attending, he held a "wild party" in his office. Ford knocked down a staffer, insulted others, then went to a restaurant. According to one server, Ford did cocaine in a private room at the restaurant. After "flailing around" on the restaurant's dance floor, he returned to City Hall by cab, making racial slurs to the driver. Ford then wandered around City Hall after 2:00 a.m. with a bottle of brandy, using profane language at his staffer, Earl Provost, before security arranged for him to be taken home. The incident was revealed in November 2013, after an e-mail from a City Hall security guard describing the incident was found through access to information requests.[86]
Ford's staff tried to convince Ford to get treatment for his alcoholism, but he initially refused.[87] Ford was reported smoking marijuana in a shopping plaza parking lot.[88] In February 2013, Ford attended the Garrison Ball and was reported to be incoherent. His staff ushered him out after an event organizer asked him to leave.[89] In March 2013, Ford was accused of groping former mayoral candidate Sarah Thomson at a social event, and Thomson publicly stated that she thought that he was high on cocaine.[90] It was around that time that Ford was recorded on video smoking crack cocaine, a video which the dealers attempted to sell to the Toronto Star and other media outlets.[91]
In November 2013, on live television, Ford denied that he had made lewd remarks to a female aide, wherein he allegedly said he wanted to give her oral sex. In his denial, he said, "I'm a happily married man. I get more than enough to eat at home." He later apologized for his graphic remarks.[92]
In April 2014, Ford was involved in another incident at the Air Canada Centre. Ford, along with city budget chief Frank DiGiorgio, was denied access to the Director's Lounge at the Air Canada Centre.[93] He was video-recorded issuing profanities during an argument with the security staff. He later denied being intoxicated, and blamed the incident on voting against a $10 million contribution to MLSE's plan to expand BMO Field. DiGiorgio described Ford as "somewhere between sober and drunk".[93][94]
On August 11, 2016, four months after his death, the original video of Ford smoking crack cocaine was released from publication ban by the Toronto Police Service after the extortion charge against Sandro Lisi was dropped.[95] The cellphone video was recorded "surreptitiously" by Mohamed Siad in February 2013.[96][97] The video shows Ford smoking crack cocaine from a glass pipe. His words are slurred and mostly inaudible during the conversation. Shortly before he admitted smoking crack cocaine, Ford said, "Whatever this video shows ... Toronto residents deserve to see it and people need to judge for themselves what they see on this video."[98]
Illness and death edit
After developing severe abdominal pains, Ford was admitted to Humber River Regional Hospital in North York in September 2014 with an abdominal tumour, and a biopsy was taken.[99] Ford announced that he would not run in the 2014 Toronto mayoral election because of his illness; his brother Doug would run in his place. Ford chose to run for his former Ward 2 seat on the City Council. He was likely to shortly begin treatment with multiple chemotherapy agents; the doctor did not say whether Ford would need to have surgery or radiation treatments.[100]
On September 17, 2014, Dr. Zane Cohen of Mount Sinai Hospital (the lead doctor of Ford's health care team) revealed that Ford had been diagnosed with pleomorphic liposarcoma, a rare form of cancer that arises in adipose tissue (fat).[101] Ford was treated with chemotherapy and surgery.[102] After chemotherapy and radiation therapy, Ford announced in a press conference that he was going to have a lengthy surgery done on May 11, 2015, to remove the tumour. He said he would be "out of commission" for four months. At a community barbecue hosted by the Ford family in 2015, Rob announced that doctors had cleared him of cancerous tumours.[103][104][105][106][107]
On October 28, 2015, Ford revealed, and his physician confirmed, that a new tumour was growing on his bladder.[108][109] The next day, Doug Ford advised reporters that the tumour had been found to be cancerous and consistent with liposarcoma (the previous tumour), based on a CT scan.[110]
On March 17, 2016, Ford's office announced he was in the hospital "with his family beside him" as chemotherapy treatment had not been successful, and Ford's health was being reviewed to determine if he could continue treatment. The Ford family thanked the many who had wished the former mayor well in recent weeks, but requested privacy.[111][112] A Rob Ford "get-well-soon" website was set up by the Ford family to send positive messages to Ford while he received cancer treatment; it received over 5,000 messages from well-wishers in the first two weeks after its creation.[113]
- Former Toronto, Canada mayor Rob Ford dies after struggle with cancerous tumors
On March 21, Ford's office confirmed that he had been placed into palliative care at Mount Sinai Hospital.[114] Ford died the next day at the age of 46.[115][116] After his death, City Hall started an official period of mourning. Flags at municipal buildings were lowered to half-staff; a book of condolences was started at City Hall, chalk was provided for personal messages on the pavement of Nathan Phillips Square, similar to that after the death of Jack Layton; and the 3D Toronto sign was dimmed at the square. Visitations were held at City Hall for two days with the Ford family present.[117] On March 30, a public funeral service was held at St. James Cathedral followed by a public commemoration of his life at the Toronto Congress Centre in the evening.[118] Ford was buried at Riverside Cemetery in Etobicoke where his father is also buried.[119]
His brothers Doug and Randy took on stewardship of Rob's share of Deco Labels and Tags upon his death.[120]
Legacy edit
Supported by the Ward 3 incumbent, Stephen Holyday, and the Ford family, in September 2017, then Toronto Mayor John Tory proposed renaming Centennial Park Stadium after Ford. The city council rejected the proposed renaming on October 4, 2017.[121] In 2023, Councillor Paul Ainslie put forward another motion to change the name to "Rob Ford Stadium". This motion passed 17-6, including with the support of Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow.[122]
Ford's drug scandal was dramatized in the Canadian film Run This Town.
See also edit
Notes edit
- ^ Municipal politicians in Ontario, including Toronto, run on a nonpartisan basis.
References edit
- Doolittle, Robyn (2014). Crazy Town: The Rob Ford Story. Toronto, Ontario, Canada: Viking. ISBN 978-0-670-06811-1.
- Towhey, Mark; Schneller, Johanna (2015). Mayor Rob Ford: Uncontrollable. New York, New York, United States: Skyhorse Publishing. ISBN 978-163450-042-5.
- ^ Gilbert, Richard (December 30, 2010). "When will Ford's honeymoon end?". Toronto Star. p. A23.
- ^ Dale, Daniel (May 17, 2013). "Rob Ford: 42 remarkable moments from Toronto mayor's career". Toronto Star. Retrieved June 10, 2013.
- ^ Peat, Don (May 25, 2015). "Mayor Rob Ford's unforgettable legacy". Toronto Sun. Postmedia. Retrieved March 23, 2016.
- ^ Alcoba, Natalie; O'Toole, Megan; Humphreys, Adrian; Visser, Josh; Kuitenbrouwer, Peter; Bosanac, Alexandra (October 31, 2013). "Rob Ford says he won't resign after Toronto police say they found video". National Post. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
- ^ McVeigh, Karen (November 5, 2013). "Toronto mayor Rob Ford admits using crack cocaine in a 'drunken stupor'". The Guardian. Retrieved November 9, 2013.
- ^ Schudel, Matt (March 22, 2016). "Rob Ford, troubled and tempestuous Toronto mayor, dies at 46". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved March 22, 2016.
- ^ Staff (November 15, 2013). "Rob Ford stripped of key powers in councilvote". CBC News. Retrieved March 23, 2016.
- ^ Staff (November 18, 2013). "Rob Ford promises 'outright war' as powers further restricted". CBC News. Retrieved March 23, 2016.
- ^ Dale, Daniel (January 2, 2014). "Rob Ford, promising "Ford more years", registers to run for reelection". Toronto Star.
- ^ Torstar News Service. . Metro News. Free Daily News Group Inc. Archived from the original (Archive) on October 28, 2014. Retrieved March 23, 2016.
- ^ Goldsbie, Jonathan (May 8, 2012). "The Rob Ford walking tour". Thegridto.com. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
- ^ Staff. . The Globe and Mail. Toronto. Archived from the original on October 28, 2014. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
- ^ Peat, Don (July 31, 2012). "Rob Ford's ancestor landed in Canada for being 'unruly'". Toronto Sun. Retrieved March 23, 2016.
- ^ Doolittle 2014, p. 30.
- ^ a b c d McDonald 2012, p. 43.
- ^ Goddard, John (October 19, 2006). . Toronto Star. Archived from the original on February 1, 2009.
- ^ a b Rider, David (December 21, 2010). "Rob Ford's confusing university life". Toronto Star. Retrieved January 2, 2011.
- ^ a b Lorinc, John (April 6, 2011). "Ford's unique approach to campaign financing: Borrow from family firm". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
- ^ *Wong, Jan (February 3, 2011). . Toronto Life. Archived from the original on November 11, 2013. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
- ^ Doolittle 2014, p. 52.
- ^ . City of Toronto. Archived from the original on March 22, 2016. Retrieved March 23, 2016.
- ^ Warmington, Joe (June 17, 2013). "Mayor Rob Ford's wife on the media: 'I kind of feel sorry for them'". Toronto Sun. Retrieved June 19, 2013.
- ^ "Councillor Blames Politicians' Perks For Your Tax Hike". City News. Toronto. April 24, 2007. Retrieved September 15, 2014.
- ^ a b c "Lonely city councillor seeks right-minded companions". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. October 3, 2003. p. A22.
- ^ Mahoney, Jill (August 19, 2010). "Rob Ford and a decade of controversy". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. Retrieved May 22, 2013.
- ^ "Our recommendations for Toronto council". Toronto Star. November 5, 2000. p. A16.
- ^ DeMara, Bruce; Moloney, Paul; Rankin, Jim (March 23, 2016). "Etobicoke full of upsets; Elsewhere, Lastman loses key supporters; convicted candidate's comeback bid fails". Toronto Star. p. E03.
- ^ "Ward 2 Etobicoke North Profile". City of Toronto. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
- ^ Freeze, Colin (December 21, 2000). "City far from a violence-free haven". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. p. A25.
- ^ a b c . City of Toronto. Archived from the original on October 16, 2012.
- ^ Barber, John (November 8, 2003). "The ugly truth about the ethnic vote". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. p. M2.
- ^ Grant, Kelly (March 25, 2010). "Right-winger Ford really a social liberal, brother says". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. p. A12.
- ^ a b c Wanagas, Don (March 10, 2001). "The odd rantings of young Rob Ford". National Post. p. F2.
- ^ Abbate, Gay (February 1, 2001). "Council considers service hit list". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. p. A16.
- ^ Rusk, James (May 2, 2001). "Budget contains 5% tax hike". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. p. A16.
- ^ Lewington, Jennifer (March 15, 2003). "Councillors' office costs vary widely". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. p. A18.
- ^ Abbate, Gay (March 7, 2002). "Name-calling warps debate on budget". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. p. A20.
- ^ Barber, John (March 7, 2002). "Inside Toronto". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. p. A21.
- ^ "Inside City Hall: Rats, foiled again". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. November 19, 2004. p. A17.
- ^ a b "Inside City Hall: Whose constituent is it, councillors want to know". The Globe and Mail. July 23, 2004. p. A12.
- ^ a b "Inside City Hall: Laurels for pothole pols". The Globe and Mail. March 25, 2005. p. A8.
- ^ Staff (June 29, 2006). "Councillor Rob Ford Under Fire Over AIDS Comments". CityNews. Toronto. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
- ^ Rider, David (May 11, 2010). "Councillor Rob Ford Under Fire Over AIDS Comments". Toronto Star. Retrieved December 8, 2012.
- ^ "Asian Protestors Stage City Hall Sit-In Over Rob Ford's 'Oriental' Comments". Toronto, Ontario: CityTV. March 14, 2008. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
- ^ Staff (March 31, 2008). "Toronto councillor apologizes for 'Orientals' comment". CBC News. Retrieved March 23, 2016.
- ^ Allyn, Matt (May 3, 2012). . Bicycling.com. Archived from the original on May 5, 2012. Retrieved May 12, 2012.
- ^ Gee, Marcus (September 10, 2012). "Rob Ford could become a champion of cycling". The Globe and Mail.
- ^ a b Spurr, Ben (January 27, 2012). "Separate lanes at last". Toronto, Ontario: nowtoronto.com. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
- ^ Alcoba, Natalie (November 9, 2012). "Jarvis bike lane removal to be done by December". National Post. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
- ^ Alcoba, Natalie (October 2, 2012). "Sherbourne motion could have council debating Jarvis bike-lanes again". Retrieved April 11, 2021.
- ^ "A matter of respect: how Rob Ford swept into City Hall". Eye Weekly. Toronto, Ontario. October 26, 2010. Retrieved March 19, 2011.
- ^ "Rocco Rossi jumps into mayoralty race with pledge to sell Toronto Hydro". National Post. December 14, 2009.
- ^ "Rob Ford elected mayor of Toronto". CBC News. October 25, 2010.
- ^ a b c Doolittle 2014, p. 17.
- ^ McDonald 2012, p. 46.
- ^ McDonald 2012, p. 48.
- ^ Kives, Bartley (October 31, 2010). "Be afraid, Toronto". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
- ^ McDonald 2012, p. 45.
- ^ Rider, David (December 7, 2010). "Don Cherry rips "left-wing pinkos" at council inaugural". Toronto Star. Retrieved June 12, 2011.
- ^ Pom, Cindy (January 1, 2011). "Ford ends personal vehicle tax". 680News.com. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
- ^ Natalie Alcoba (July 15, 2011). "Property taxes could rise 3%, Ford warns". National Post. Retrieved January 20, 2018.
- ^ Jennifer Pagliaro (March 22, 2016). "Rob Ford's legacy at Toronto City Hall a mixed bag". Toronto Star.
- ^ "Scarborough subway confirmed by Toronto council". The Star. Toronto. October 8, 2013.
- ^ "Harper pledges federal funding for Toronto's subway extension". The Globe and Mail. September 22, 2013.
- ^ "Ottawa will help pay for Scarborough subway". Toronto Star. September 22, 2013.
- ^ Ferreira, Victor (June 18, 2015). "Major transit announcement incoming: Harper expected to boost TTC funding during Toronto visit". National Post. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
- ^ "Facts about the other Ford: A look at mayoral candidate Doug Ford". CP24. The Canadian Press. September 12, 2014. Retrieved March 22, 2016.
- ^ Dale, Daniel (September 10, 2014). "Toronto election poll: Tory leads big as Chow plummets in Scarborough". Toronto Star. Retrieved March 23, 2016.
- ^ Boeveld, Sarah; Warnica, Richard; Visser, Josh (October 27, 2014). "Toronto election brings an end to the Ford era as John Tory sweeps into office". National Post. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
- ^ Pagliaro, Jennifer (December 10, 2014). "Rob Ford for mayor in 2018? Councillor 'plotting' return". Toronto Star. Retrieved March 18, 2016.
- ^ Cribb, Rob; Rushowy, Kris (July 13, 2010). "Rob Ford told he was unwelcome as a football coach at Toronto high school". Toronto Star. Retrieved June 10, 2013.
- ^ Dale, Daniel (May 22, 2013). "Mayor Rob Ford dismissed as football coach at Don Bosco". Toronto Star.
- ^ Grossman, David (September 13, 2009). "Rob Ford a team player to schools". Toronto Star.
- ^ Rider, David (October 4, 2017). "No 'Rob Ford Memorial Stadium' in Toronto after council rejects renaming proposal". Toronto Star.
- ^ Freed, Dale Anne (May 22, 2008). "Assault charge against councillor withdrawn". Toronto Star.
- ^ Doolittle, Robyn (December 30, 2011). "Rob Ford 911 calls raise questions". Toronto Star. Toronto.
- ^ Donovan, Kevin; Wallace, Kenyon (November 22, 2013). "Rob Ford police investigation: 'Domestic assault' call at Ford home sidetracked police sting". The Star. Toronto.
- ^ Krill, Patrick (November 18, 2013). "Toronto mayor could be your neighbor". CNN. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
- ^ a b "How Mayor Rob Ford's admitted alcohol and drug use shines spotlight on substance abuse". The Globe and Mail. Toronto, Ontario. November 13, 2013. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
- ^ Doolittle 2014, p. 79.
- ^ "Ford admits lying to media about drunken outburst". Toronto, Ontario: CBC News. May 3, 2006. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
- ^ Doolittle 2014, p. 80.
- ^ a b Doolittle 2014, pp. 80–81.
- ^ Doolittle 2014, p. 81.
- ^ Lamberti, Rob (August 19, 2010). "'Go ahead, take me to jail': Ford during 1999 arrest". Toronto Sun. Retrieved March 23, 2016.
- ^ a b Peat, Don (November 1, 2013). "'Very intoxicated' Rob Ford was 'at his worst' St. Patrick's Day 2012". Toronto Sun. from the original on November 11, 2014.
- ^ Doolittle 2014, p. 234.
- ^ Doolittle 2014, p. 244.
- ^ Doolittle 2014, p. 191.
- ^ Doolittle 2014, p. 286.
- ^ Doolittle 2014, pp. 323–350.
- ^ "Rob Ford's 'more than enough to eat at home' comment causes a stir". Global News. November 14, 2013.
- ^ a b Alcoba, Natalie; Visser, Josh (April 7, 2014). "Rob Ford denies he was drunk when he argued with security at the Leafs game, won't explain late-night trip to City Hall". National Post.
- ^ "Rob Ford draws crowds and security at Leafs game". CBC News. April 6, 2014.
- ^ Sarah, Bridge; Seglins, Dave (August 11, 2016). "Watch the Rob Ford crack video". CBC News. Retrieved August 15, 2016.
- ^ Donovan, Kevin (March 19, 2014). "Rob Ford crack video: Toronto police documents shed light on video and its creator". Toronto Star. Retrieved August 18, 2016.
- ^ Donovan, Kevin (November 19, 2013). "Rob Ford 'narcotic' video made in February, police say". Toronto Star. Retrieved August 18, 2016.
- ^ "13 notable moments from Mayor Rob Ford's radio show". CBC News. November 3, 2013. Retrieved August 15, 2016.
- ^ Jeffords, Sean; Peat, Don (September 10, 2014). "Rob Ford in hospital with tumour". Toronto Sun. Retrieved September 10, 2014.
- ^ Gillies, Rob (September 17, 2014). . Associated Press. Archived from the original (Archived) on September 18, 2014. Retrieved March 23, 2016.
- ^ Pelley, Lauren (September 17, 2014). "Rob Ford's diagnosis: What is a pleomorphic liposarcoma?". Toronto Star. Retrieved March 18, 2016.
- ^ Puzic, Sonja. "Rob Ford diagnosed with 'difficult' malignant tumour; doctor optimistic about treatment". CTVNews. Retrieved March 18, 2016.
- ^ Staff (April 2, 2015). "Rob Ford to have surgery to remove cancerous tumour". CBC News. Retrieved March 18, 2016.
- ^ Rider, David (April 2, 2015). "Rob Ford to undergo surgery to remove cancer". Toronto Star. Retrieved March 18, 2016.
- ^ Hui, Ann. "Former Toronto mayor Ford to have surgery to remove tumour in May". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved March 18, 2016.
- ^ Frisk, Adam (April 2, 2015). "Rob Ford to have cancer surgery May 11". Global News. Retrieved March 18, 2016.
- ^ Yuen, Jenny (October 2, 2015). "Rob Ford thrills Ford Nation – again". Toronto Sun. Retrieved March 18, 2016.
- ^ Rider, David (October 28, 2015). "Tumour found on Rob Ford's bladder". Toronto Star. Retrieved March 18, 2016.
- ^ Staff (October 28, 2015). "Former Toronto mayor famous for smoking crack has new cancer scare". Reuters. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
- ^ Pagliaro, Jennifer; Rider, David (October 29, 2015). "Rob Ford "99% sure" cancer is back". Toronto Star. Retrieved March 18, 2016.
- ^ "Rob Ford's cancer battle continues 'with his family beside him'". CBC News. March 17, 2016. Retrieved March 18, 2016.
- ^ Herhalt, Chris (March 17, 2016). "Rob Ford under 24-hour medical supervision after chemo fails". CP24. Retrieved March 18, 2016.
- ^ Farooq, Ramisha (March 17, 2016). "Rob Ford get well soon" website receives nearly 3000 messages". Toronto Star. Retrieved March 22, 2016.
- ^ Vendeville, Geoffrey (March 21, 2016). "The former mayor's family is constantly by his side, brother Doug Ford says". Toronto Star. ISSN 0319-0781. Retrieved March 22, 2016.
- ^ White, Patrick; Gray, Jeff (March 22, 2016). "Former Toronto Mayor Rob Ford dies at 46". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved March 22, 2016.
- ^ "Rob Ford: Former Toronto mayor dies of cancer at 46". ABC News. Reuters. March 22, 2016. Retrieved March 23, 2016.
- ^ Perkel, Colin (March 28, 2016). "Mourners shed tears as Rob Ford lies in repose at Toronto City Hall". Globalnews.ca. Retrieved April 30, 2018.
- ^ Staff (March 23, 2016). "Rob Ford to lie in repose at city hall for two days before funeral". 680 News.
- ^ Meagan Campbell (March 30, 2016). "Digging Rob Ford's grave". Maclean's.
- ^ Janus, Andrea (June 5, 2018). "Doug Ford calls allegations in sister-in-law's lawsuit 'false and without merit'". CBC News. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
- ^ David Rider (October 4, 2017). "No 'Rob Ford Memorial Stadium' in Toronto after council rejects renaming proposal". The Star.
- ^ Freeman, Joshua (December 15, 2023). "Toronto council votes to name stadium after former mayor Rob Ford". CP24. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
Sources edit
- . T.O. Confidential. Archived from the original on September 26, 2014.
When interviewed by police on 3 July 2013, Isaac RANSOM advised that a female by the name of "ALANA" was with the Mayor at the Bier Markt on March 17th, 2013. RANSOM believes that she was a professional escort who knew Mayor FORD well.
- Michelle Mandel (January 22, 2014). "The Rob Ford story: From penny-pinching councillor to crack mayor". Brantford Expositor. from the original on March 4, 2016.
Ransom was told to report to City Hall at about 9 p.m. where he found Ford with an entourage that included aide Brooks Barnett, old Etobicoke friend Peter Kordas and an attractive blue-eyed blond he knew only as Alana. Ransom would later tell police that he suspected Alana may have been an escort or prostitute. "There have been rumours that Mayor Ford has used escorts or prostitutes. Alana has also been seen with Mayor Ford at a stag party."
- John Semley (November 14, 2013). "Alleged sex worker "Alana" may be former Miss Toronto Tourism: BREAKING! It is possible that a 23 year-old woman could be friends with the mayor without being a prostitute". Now. from the original on November 17, 2013. Retrieved September 26, 2014.
- Joe Warmington (February 5, 2014). "Toronto cops 'can take' cellphone, instead of obtaining warrants: Rob Ford". Toronto Sun. from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved March 25, 2016.
"I don't know if it's true, but I was told they are getting a search warrant for my cellphone and the OnStar in my truck," said the mayor.
- Betsy Powell (February 5, 2014). "Rob Ford: Police can check my cellphone, mayor says". Toronto Star. from the original on February 9, 2014.
Toronto Mayor Rob Ford says police are welcome to his cellphone records because he has "nothing to hide. They can go through it; there's, you know, nothing here," he said Wednesday afternoon at Toronto City Hall.
- Peat, Don (February 5, 2014). "Mayor Rob Ford backtracks on offer to share cellphone with cops". Toronto Sun. from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved March 25, 2016.
Mayor Rob Ford backtracked Wednesday on his offer to voluntarily share his cellphone records with Toronto Police. Ford dismissed the idea that he'll give investigators his phone records without a search warrant – a day after he told the Toronto Sun's Joe Warmington he's willing to share.
- Allison Jones, Diana Mehta (November 14, 2013). "ROB FORD: Booze and prostitutes on the job?". Hamilton Spectator. from the original on December 18, 2013. Retrieved March 25, 2016.
- Ann Hui (November 13, 2013). "Staffers told police they were worried about Rob Ford's drug, alcohol use". The Globe and Mail. from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved March 25, 2016.
According to former Ford staffers Mr. Ransom and Mr. Fickel, the mayor's entourage that night included a woman described in the document as a "professional escort who knew the Mayor Ford well." She returned with them to city hall that night, according to Mr. Ransom, and had been seen with him on at least one other occasion, at a stag party. The mother of the woman told The Globe on Wednesday that her daughter is not an escort.
Further reading edit
- "The agony of Rob Ford". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
- Filion, John (2015). The Only Average Guy: Inside the Uncommon World of Rob Ford. Random House Canada. ISBN 9780345815996.
- Ford, Rob; Ford, Doug (2016). Ford Nation: Two Brothers, One Vision. Toronto, Ontario, Canada: HarperCollins. ISBN 978-1-44345-175-8.
- LaPointe, Kirk (January 5, 2012). "Reports About 9–1–1 Calls Made by Toronto Mayor Rob Ford". REVIEW FROM THE OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
- Marche, Stephen (November 6, 2013). "Toronto's Hot Mess: What Mayor Rob Ford Knows About Toronto". The New York Times. p. A29 (New York edition).
- McDonald, Marci (2012). . Toronto Life (May 2012): 40–54. Archived from the original on October 28, 2014.
- Tossell, Ivor (2012). The Gift of Ford. Random House Canada. ISBN 9780345812575.
- Towhey, Mark (2014). Mayor Rob Ford: Uncontrollable: How I Tried to Help the World's Most Notorious Mayor. Skyhorse. ISBN 9781634500425.
External links edit
- City of Toronto profile October 10, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
- Rob Ford for Mayor Main Page – 2014 Toronto Mayoral Collection – Web Archive created by the University of Toronto Libraries
- Rob Ford for Mayor Accomplishments Page – 2014 Toronto Mayoral Collection – Web Archive created by the University of Toronto Libraries
- Rob Ford for Mayor Photos Page – 2014 Toronto Mayoral Collection – Web Archive created by the University of Toronto Libraries
- Rob Ford for Mayor Speeches Page – 2014 Toronto Mayoral Collection – Web Archive created by the University of Toronto Libraries
- Rob Ford for Mayor Videos Page – 2014 Toronto Mayoral Collection – Web Archive created by the University of Toronto Libraries
- Rob Ford at Find a Grave