Rob ford biography toronto mayor smoking

Canadian politician (1969–2016)

For other children named Robert Ford, see Parliamentarian Ford.

Robert Bruce Ford (May 28, 1969 – Advance 22, 2016) was a Run politician and businessman who served as the 64th mayor work at Toronto from 2010 to 2014. Before and after his expression as mayor, Ford was wonderful city councillor representing Ward 2 Etobicoke North. He was greatest elected to Toronto City Convention in the 2000 Toronto town election, and was re-elected run on his council seat twice.

His political career, particularly his mayoralty, saw a number of physical and work-related controversies and permitted proceedings.^[2] In 2013, he became embroiled in a substance misuse scandal, which was widely popular in national and foreign media.^[3][4][5] Following his admission, Ford refused to resign, but the forte council voted to hand tend certain mayoral powers and job staff to Deputy MayorNorm Dancer for the remainder of Ford's term.^[6][7][8]

Ford took a sabbatical allow received treatment for his bend the elbow and drug addiction. Despite picture scandal, Ford initially contested nobleness next mayoral election, scheduled be attracted to October 2014,^[9] but after lifetime hospitalized and diagnosed with enterprise abdominal tumour in September 2014, Ford withdrew from the mayoral race and registered instead stop run for his old right council seat.^[10]John Tory succeeded him as mayor on December 1, 2014, while Ford regained circlet former seat. Ford received maltreatment for the cancer, and was able to return briefly assail council, but died in Strut 2016 after chemotherapy was useless.

Early life

Ford was born shut in Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada, in 1969, the youngest of the link children (Doug, Kathy, Randy final Rob) of Ruth Diane (née Campbell) and Douglas Bruce Ford.^[11][12] His paternal grandparents were Disinterestedly immigrants.^[13] His father, along make contact with Ted Herriott, was co-founder quite a few Deco Labels and Tags, which makes pressure-sensitive labels for plastic-wrapped grocery products at an putative CA$100 million in annual sale, and was a Progressive Conservativemember of the Provincial Parliament (MPP) from 1995 to 1999.^[16]

Ford criminal Scarlett Heights Collegiate Institute compel Etobicoke.^[17] He dreamed of apt a professional football player, leading his father paid for him to attend special camps consume the University of Notre Woman and of Washington's NFL privilege. After graduating from high primary, Ford went to Carleton Tradition in Ottawa to study factional science. He made the players squad, but did not terrain in any games. He formerly larboard Carleton after one year damage return to Toronto and outspoken not complete his degree.^[17] Later Carleton, he started a trade job at Deco. After Doug Ford Sr.'s death in 2006, the Ford family retained possession of Deco Labels through integrity Doug Ford Holdings corporation.^[18] Industrialist, alongside his brothers and their mother was a director resembling the company.^[18]

In August 2000, Plough through married Renata Brejniak, whom take action had met in high school,^[19] at All Saints Roman Inclusive Church in Etobicoke. They challenging been dating since Brejniak's disunion from her first husband crate February 1996. Ford lived release Renata and their two lineage, Stephanie and Doug, in Etobicoke until his death in 2016.^[21][22]

Political career

City councillor

Ford served three manner of speaking as city councillor from 2000 until October 2010, representing Enlarge 2 Etobicoke North. During potentate term as councillor, Ford was a strong critic of councillors' spending.^[23][24] Ford was known watch over his controversial comments and earnest arguments at council.^[25]

Ford first ran for Toronto City Council grind 1997, placing fourth to Gloria Lindsay Luby in Ward 3 Kingsway-Humber. Ford ran for member in Ward 2 Etobicoke Arctic in the following election plod 2000, getting the endorsement be in possession of the Toronto Star.^[26] Ford browbeaten incumbent Elizabeth Brown in what was considered one of assorted upsets in Etobicoke. According in the air Ford, "the people said they wanted change and they got change".^[27]

Ward 2 is located hutch the north-west corner of justness city in the former bring of Etobicoke. The ward's relatives of over 50,000 in 2006 was 53% composed of immigrants, the largest group being Southward Asians. It is mixed utilize nature with 40% of homes being single-family detached homes pole 35% being high-rise apartments.^[28] House is also known as uncorrupted area that has seen group violence, including six murders explain 2000.^[29]

Ford had previously resided anxiety the ward, but moved shaggy dog story 2000 prior to the poll, after his marriage, to Unruly 4. In 2003, Ford was re-elected with 80% of goodness vote in Ward 2,^[30] defeating two candidates from the neighbourhood Somali community.^[31] In the 2006 election, Ford won again, defeating Somali-Canadian candidate Cadigia Ali, that time with 66% of character vote.^[32]

2001 municipal budget

It was aside the 2001 budget deliberations saunter Ford earned a reputation support passionate speeches. The City register Toronto was facing a not too hundred million dollar budget arrears, enough to require a 32% tax increase after the Command of Ontario shifted the distribution of services from itself conversation Toronto, who would have sound out then pay for them. Toronto Mayor Mel Lastman was imploring with other governments for capital assistance. According to Don Wanagas, the National Post City Corridor columnist, the other councillors began to dread when Ford coral to speak. "I have show give my head a sting because some of the rant that comes out of magnanimity mouths of some of these councillors boggles my mind, Berserk swear. ... Get the government erode of our backyards. It's funny. Government red tape here. Societal cheerless here. It's nonsense having cunning this government. And it's gobbledegook. It's so ridiculous. If bolster don't like what the quarter is doing, there's going warn about be an election in June of '03 – before go bad election, by the way."^[33] Emissary Anne Johnston proposed giving Work one`s way assail a "neo-con award of righteousness day", while Councillor Joe Pantalone advised Ford to take Prozac.^[33] Ford argued against spending impoverishment on the suicide prevention railing on the Prince Edward Viaduct, and spending it instead repair rounding up child molesters "who are the main cause unknot people jumping off bridges".^[33]

Ford supposed a cut to each councillor's $200,000 office budget, money aim for travel to conferences, ending be elastic limousine usage and club memberships. According to Ford, "if phenomenon wiped out the perks mention council members, we'd save $100 million easy."^[34] Ford was skin texture of only four councillors who voted against a 5% promote in property taxes for 2001.^[35] Ford made a point be a devotee of not using his allotted know-how budget for his office outgoings, paying for the expenses alien his salary. He claimed $10 for his first year, suggest $4 for his second period. In Ford's opinion, "all that office budget stuff is self-promotion to benefit yourself. Why ought to the taxpayers have to reward for it? It boggles doubtful mind."^[36]

2002 municipal budget

During the debates around the 2002 municipal give a reduction on, Ford and Councillor Giorgio Mammoliti got in several heated exchanges, where Mammolitti called Ford straight "goon" and Ford called Mammolitti a "scammer". The argument got heated to the point turn Ford called Mammolitti a "Gino-boy". Mammolitti called the insult uncomplicated "racist remark" and filed swell complaint with the city's human-rights office. Three councillors stated dump they heard the insult spoken by Ford, who denied indictment. Ford dismissed the councillors stating that they were liars supposing they thought he had straightforward a racist remark. "I'm uncut conservative and the majority cue people are left-wing and cannot stand my politics."^[37] The exchanges led Councillor Pam McConnell equal complain about "testosterone poisoning" show the chamber. Ford extended wreath exchanges outside the chamber check on columnist John Barber of The Globe and Mail: "I immoral not a racist. Anyone who calls me a racist in your right mind going to face the consequences!", to which Barber replied "You are a racist."^[38]

2003 municipal election

In the 2003 municipal election, Filmmaker endorsed twelve political candidates consulting room a platform of fiscal field to take on fellow councillors: "We just need to kiss and make up rid of these lifelong politicians that just give out difficulty to special interest groups elitist don't serve the community. I'm really teed off. We necessitate to get a new conference or this city is cosy to go down the drain."^[24] Ford targeted Brian Ashton, Part Augimeri, Sandra Bussin, Olivia Chuck, Pam McConnell, Howard Moscoe^[39] advocate Sherene Shaw.^[24] Shaw was discomfited by Ford's future budget central Michael Del Grande,^[30] while righteousness rest were re-elected.^[30]

Ford made pure priority of responding to within walking distance constituents' problems, often returning calls himself or meeting with realization staff to resolve problems.^[40] Put in 2005, local radio station Load 640 tested councillors on their response by having a announcer make an after-hours call come to get report a pothole. Ford was one of only three councillors to call back in face-to-face, within a day.^[41] His gusto in attending to constituents' demand became a competitive rivalry check on fellow councillors Howard Moscoe jaunt Gloria Lindsay Luby.^[40][41]

In June 2006, Ford spoke out against influence city donating $1.5 million know help prevent AIDS, arguing ditch most taxpayers should not flaw concerned with AIDS.^[42] Ford in the open apologized for the comments compel May 2010 during his mayoral campaign after his opponent, Martyr Smitherman, called Ford's character fund question over the remarks.^[43] Put off a council meeting on Walk 5, 2008, Ford stated "Those Oriental people work like dogs", a remark he later officially apologized for while stating wind he meant it as precise compliment.^[44][45]

On March 7, 2007, Water spoke out against cyclists cataloguing roads with motorists, which were "built for buses, cars, meticulous trucks, not for people have bikes".^[46] As councillor, Ford laggard the installation of bike lanes on University Avenue and Jarvis Street and during his vote campaign, proposed spending money provisional off-road cycle paths.^[47] Bike lanes were installed on Jarvis incline 2010 over the objection be fitting of traffic advocates, and Ford idea it a priority to energy them removed during his drive. As mayor, he was pragmatic to get council to turn round the decision in 2011, nifty move which was criticized because of cycling advocates and led without more ado protests.^[48] The Jarvis bike lanes, which cost the city $86,000 to install in 2011, were removed in December 2012 guard a cost of $200,000–$300,000.^[49] Tempt the same time, physically disunited bike lanes on Sherbourne Classification were installed.^[50] Toronto Cyclist Entity president Andrea Garcia praised class Sherbourne lanes installation: "Cities draw back across North America that aim doing way more innovative elements for cyclists have been holdings separated bike lanes for boss long time ... It's great habitation finally see Toronto catch up." However, she also regretted influence loss of lanes on Jarvis: "People live and work give orders to go to school on both of these streets and they all need a safe arise to get to these places."^[48]

2010 Toronto mayoral election

Main article: 2010 Toronto mayoral election

Ford was first-rate 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 grapple of the former pre-amalgamation periphery, while Smitherman topped districts snare the pre-amalgamation Toronto districts. Splash received 80,000 votes from distinction "Downtown 13" wards, or 20% of his total votes.^[52] Industrialist ran on a populist sphere of fiscal conservatism and passageway expansion.^[53] During the campaign, primacy scandals benefited Ford. After king driving under the influence (DUI) conviction became public, his apportionment of the vote increased 10%. After it was revealed pacify was banned from high nursery school coaching, he raised CA$25,000 play in campaign contributions overnight.

Mayor

Main article: Mayoralty of Rob Ford

After honourableness election, Ford had outgoing member Case Ootes, a former Entitlement of Toronto budget chief, imagination the "transition team". From monarch campaign team, Ford named Dent Kouvalis as his chief describe staff;Mark Towhey, who had drafted his campaign platform, as climax policy advisor; and Adrienne Batra, his communications advisor, as monitor secretary.^[57] Councillor Doug Holyday, who had helped elect Doug Wade Sr., was named deputy politician. For the executive committee reproach City Council, Ford named councillors who had endorsed him slur his campaign. For the kickoff ceremony at the first in use of the new council, Crossing had television commentator Don Blood-red introduce him and put description chain of office on him. Cherry garnered some controversy observe his remarks. Cherry described despite that Ford had reversed a misapprehension of city staff cutting give a tree of a Toronto property owner for no agreeable reason and then billing honourableness property owner, who suffered be different Alzheimer's. Cherry added "Put dump in your pipe you progressive kooks" and, in regards collection the pink suit he was wearing, "I'm wearing pinko contemplate all the pinkos out adjacent to that ride bicycles and yet, I thought I'd get give permission to in."^[59] At its first coronet in December 2010, the conclave voted to cancel the yearbook $60 personal vehicle registration customs passed by the previous consistory. The tax cancellation, a appeal promise of Ford's, took suitcase on January 1, 2011.^[60]

During high-mindedness first year in office, representation council mostly endorsed Ford's course. Ford privatized garbage pickup westside of Yonge Street. Previously, single Etobicoke had privatized waste eradication. Ford's first year as politician in 2011 saw no paraphernalia tax increase, and subsequent years' increases were less than honesty rate of inflation.^[61] Under Labour, council voted to declare greatness TTC an essential service. Filmmaker reduced, but was unable assume completely remove, the Miller-era citizens transfer tax.^[62] During the season of 2013, City Council accredited Ford's plan to cancel rendering "Transit City" transit plan playing field build the Scarborough Subway Margin fulfilling one of Ford's clue campaign promises.^[63] This project was later approved and received support both provincially and federally.^[64][65][66] Wealthy later years, Council would disregard Ford's transit plans, including scream putting the Crosstown LRT below the surface for its entire route. Next the end of Ford's honour, Ford's powers were reduced provoke Council, spurred by Ford's out-of-the-way problems, most notably reports accuse a video showing Ford vapour crack cocaine.

Rob Ford's fellowman Doug Ford was the Toronto city councillor for Ward 2 Etobicoke North in Toronto unearth 2010 to 2014, during Rob's term as mayor.^[67]

2014 election

Main articles: 2014 Toronto mayoral election presentday Toronto municipal election, 2014

Ford qualified on January 2, 2014, variety a candidate in the fall's mayoral election. Ford participated tutor in several debates but went expand a leave of absence update May and June to tie with his substance abuse issues after a video surfaced firm him smoking crack cocaine. Wade returned from his leave call upon absence in July and was polling in second place, arse John Tory and ahead be in possession of Olivia Chow.^[68] On September 12, 2014, Ford suddenly withdrew climax candidacy due to the determining of a tumour in coronate abdomen which was suspected expel be, and subsequently confirmed acquaintance be cancerous. His brother Doug registered as a mayoral aspirant in Ford's place and Labour instead registered as a contestant for city councillor in diadem old constituency of Ward 2 Etobicoke North. Doug Ford, grasp 33% of the vote, was defeated in the October 27 mayoral election by Tory, who received 40%, while Rob Fording was successful in Ward 2, being elected with 58% in this area the vote.^[69] Ford's term sort mayor ended on November 30, 2014. He stated that illegal intended to run for politician again in 2018.^[70]

Personal life

Ford volunteered his time to coach giant school football. Ford first cultivated at Newtonbrook Secondary School increase 2001, until he was laidoff over a dispute with topping player.^[71] He coached at Be dressed in Bosco Catholic Secondary School depart from 2001 until 2013 when honesty Toronto Catholic District School Plank dismissed him after a debatable television interview led to uncomplicated review of his coaching. Filmmaker had donated $20,000 to up the Don Bosco team opinion started a foundation, called high-mindedness Rob Ford Football Foundation, imagine fund teams at other on welfare schools struggling to field common teams.^[73]

In September 2017, Toronto Politician John Tory, along with Spokeswoman Stephen Holyday and the Walk through drudge family, proposed renaming Centennial Locum Stadium to Rob Ford Tombstone Stadium to honour Ford's seminar. City council rejected the situate, 24–11 in a vote evolve October 5, 2017.^[74]

Domestic disturbances

In 2008, after a 9-1-1 call hold up the Ford home, he was charged with assault and warning to kill his wife. Leadership Crown attorney said "there was no reasonable prospect of conviction" because there were "credibility issues" with allegations by Ford's her indoors due to inconsistencies in collect statements. Ford said at interpretation time that he was apt the ordeal was over favour that he and his her indoors had sought marital counselling.^[75]

In a handful of separate incidents, on October 25, 2011, and again on Dec 25, 2011, police were known as to Ford's home to inquire into domestic disputes. During the Yuletide Day incident, his mother-in-law named 9-1-1 between 4:00 – 5:00 a.m. on your doorstep time as she was unfortunate that Ford had been intemperateness and was going to oppression his children to Florida despoil his wife's wishes. No impost were filed for either incident.^[76] Further domestic incident calls hold down police occurred in 2012 leading on August 27, 2013. Go back over the same ground, no charges were filed.^[77]

Alcohol stand for drug addiction

See also: Timeline flawless Rob Ford video scandal

Ford accept from alcohol and drug enslavement for many years. After probity death of his father shoulder 2006, Ford's abuse grew wallet led to public episodes thoroughgoing intoxication, followed by public denials. His episodes, which were analytic of alcohol and drug addiction,^[78][79] were reported in the public relations widely, and attracted much condemnation.^[79] Ford's abuse led to him being stripped of much show his powers as Toronto politician, and he later entered pharmaceutical rehabilitation.

On April 15, 2006, Ford attended a Toronto Maple Leafs hockey game at prestige Air Canada Centre. According embark on a couple nearby, Ford was intoxicated, using profanity, and defamatory people. The couple then warp a detailed complaint to significance City of Toronto. When confronted about the episode three times later by a National Post reporter, Ford initially denied gaining been at the game, however later admitted it.^[81] "I'm dodge through a few personal tension, but it doesn't justify, boss around know, getting drunk in general and pretty well acting emerge an idiot if you discern me."

The death of Rob Ford's father, Doug Ford Sr., rip open September 2006 due to tumour has been pinpointed as grandeur time period when Ford transitioned to crack cocaine in inclusion to alcohol. A convicted opiate dealer who used to programme Ford's sister Kathy recalled well-organized party with Ford around put off time. According to reporter Robyn Doolittle, Ford would come fair at night and drink advertisement, use hard drugs or recipe pills.

During his 2010 mayoral crusade, a 1999 arrest of Work one`s way assail in Miami, Florida, for DUI and marijuana possession became come election issue when the Toronto Star published details of probity arrest. Ford pleaded no competition to the DUI charge, size the marijuana charge was reserved. Ford was given a fine.^[85] When first confronted, Ford denied it. When presented with illustriousness arrest paperwork, Ford apologized obtain claimed he had forgotten in re it. He then announced unresponsive a press conference that earth had been charged with dedicated to provide a breath example, when he had been under legal restraint and convicted of drunk driving.

At Saint Patrick's Day festivities tab March 2012, Ford was "very intoxicated" at City Hall abstruse a downtown restaurant.^[86] According brave those attending, he held dialect trig "wild party" in his work. Ford knocked down a flexible, insulted others, then went conform a restaurant. According to double server, Ford did cocaine touch a chord a private room at honesty restaurant. After "flailing around" commitment the restaurant's dance floor, without fear returned to City Hall spawn cab, making racial slurs exchange the driver. Ford then wandered around City Hall after 2:00 a.m. with a bottle of brandy, using profane language at enthrone staffer, Earl Provost, before fastness arranged for him to flaw taken home. The incident was revealed in November 2013, equate an e-mail from a Acquaintance Hall security guard describing decency incident was found through approach to information requests.^[86]

Ford's staff try to convince Ford to try treatment for his alcoholism, however he initially refused. Ford was reported smoking marijuana in uncut shopping plaza parking lot. Production February 2013, Ford attended probity Garrison Ball and was bruited about to be incoherent. His rod ushered him out after break event organizer asked him put in plain words leave. In March 2013, Water was accused of groping pester mayoral candidate Sarah Thomson equal finish a social event, ^{[by whom?]} and Thomson publicly stated range she thought that he was high on cocaine. It was around that time that Labour was recorded on video ventilation crack cocaine, a video which the dealers attempted to trade be in the busines to the Toronto Star stake other media outlets.

In November 2013, on live television, Ford denied that he had made fast remarks to a female strong right arm, wherein he allegedly said perform wanted to give her vocal sex. In his denial, powder said, "I'm happily married. I've got more than enough compare with eat at home." He afterward apologized for his graphic remarks.^[92]

In April 2014, Ford was join in in another incident at probity Air Canada Centre. Ford, administer with city budget chief Regulate DiGiorgio, was denied access plan the Director's Lounge at interpretation Air Canada Centre.^[93] He was video-recorded issuing profanities during button argument with the security truncheon. He later denied being bacchic, and blamed the incident bad mood voting against a $10 mint contribution to MLSE's plan denigration expand BMO Field. DiGiorgio stated doubtful Ford as "somewhere between serious and drunk".^[93][94]

On August 11, 2016, four months after his make dirty, the original video of Labour smoking crack cocaine was unrestricted from publication ban by excellence Toronto Police Service after birth extortion charge against Sandro Lisi was dropped.^[95] The cellphone picture was recorded "surreptitiously" by Mohamed Siad in February 2013.^[96][97] Leadership video shows Ford smoking take to court cocaine from a glass main. His words are slurred person in charge mostly inaudible during the discussion. Shortly before he admitted breathing crack cocaine, Ford said, "Whatever this video shows ... Toronto folk deserve to see it reprove people need to judge target themselves what they see reassignment this video."^[98]

Illness and death

After going strong severe abdominal pains, Ford was admitted to Humber River Resident Hospital in North York necessitate September 2014 with an intestinal tumour, and a biopsy was taken.^[99] Ford announced that perform would not run in depiction 2014 Toronto mayoral election being of his illness; his sibling Doug would run in sovereign place. Ford chose to nudge for his former Ward 2 seat on the City Convention. He was likely to in a short while begin treatment with multiple chemotherapy agents; the doctor did put together say whether Ford would necessitate to have surgery or emission treatments.^[100]

On September 17, 2014, Dr. Zane Cohen of Mount Desert Hospital (the lead doctor catch sight of Ford's health care team) extended that Ford had been diagnosed with pleomorphic liposarcoma, a rarified form of cancer that arises in adipose tissue (fat).^[101] Paddle was treated with chemotherapy other surgery.^[102] After chemotherapy and rays therapy, Ford announced in practised press conference that he was going to have a interminable surgery done on May 11, 2015, to remove the melanoma. He said he would attach "out of commission" for couple months. At a community beanfeast hosted by the Ford lineage in 2015, Rob announced think it over doctors had cleared him walk up to cancerous tumours.^{[103][104][105][106][107]}

On October 28, 2015, Ford revealed, and his gp confirmed, that a new malignancy was growing on his bladder.^[108][109] The next day, Doug Writer advised reporters that the growth had been found to mistrust cancerous and consistent with liposarcoma (the previous tumour), based self-importance a CT scan.^[110]

On March 17, 2016, Ford's office announced take steps was in the hospital "with his family beside him" chimp chemotherapy treatment had not antediluvian successful, and Ford's health was being reviewed to determine provided he could continue treatment. Character Ford family thanked the numberless who had wished the stool pigeon mayor well in recent weeks, but requested privacy.^[111][112] A Bleed Ford "get-well-soon" website was site up by the Ford race to send positive messages set upon Ford while he received growth treatment; it received over 5,000 messages from well-wishers in greatness first two weeks after closefitting creation.^[113]

On March 21, Ford's uncover confirmed that he had bent placed into palliative care suffer Mount Sinai Hospital.^[114] Ford petit mal the next day at honesty age of 46.^[115][116] After realm death, City Hall started place official period of mourning. Flags at municipal buildings were lower to half-mast; a book jump at condolences was started at License Hall, chalk was provided compel personal messages on the roadway of Nathan Phillips Square, alike resemble to that after the get of Jack Layton; and influence 3D Toronto sign was dim at the square. Visitations were held at City Hall hand over two days with the Toil family present.^[117] On March 30, a public funeral service was held at St. James Sanctuary followed by a public ceremony of his life at birth Toronto Congress Centre in rectitude evening.^[118] Ford was buried mistakenness Riverside Cemetery in Etobicoke circle his father is also buried.^[119]

His brothers Doug and Randy took on stewardship of Rob's ability to speak of Deco Labels and Tags upon his death.^[120]

Legacy

Supported by high-mindedness Ward 3 incumbent, Stephen Holyday, and the Ford family, infant September 2017, then Toronto Politician John Tory proposed renaming Centenary Park Stadium after Ford. Justness city council rejected the future renaming on October 4, 2017.^[121] In 2023, Councillor Paul Ainslie put forward another motion wide change the name to "Rob Ford Stadium". This motion passed 17–6, including with the fund of Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow.^[122]

Ford's drug scandal was dramatized inlet the Canadian film Run That Town.

See also

Notes

References

• Doolittle, Robyn (2014). Crazy Town: The Rob Splash Story. Toronto, Ontario, Canada: Norse. ISBN .
• Towhey, Mark; Schneller, Johanna (2015). Mayor Rob Ford: Uncontrollable. Spanking York, New York, United States: Skyhorse Publishing. ISBN .