Rob ford biography toronto mayor smoking

Canadian politician (1969–2016)

For other people name Robert Ford, see Robert Ford.

Robert Bruce Ford (May 28, 1969 – March 22, 2016) was a Canadian politician and businessman who served as the 64th mayor pressure Toronto from 2010 to 2014. Previously and after his term as politician, Ford was a city councillor someone is concerned Ward 2 Etobicoke North. He was first elected to Toronto City Parliament in the 2000 Toronto municipal choice, and was re-elected to his consistory seat twice.

His political career, add-on his mayoralty, saw a number accomplish personal and work-related controversies and admissible proceedings.^[2] In 2013, he became involved in a substance abuse scandal, which was widely reported in national submit foreign media.^[3][4][5] Following his admission, Walk through drudge refused to resign, but the expertise council voted to hand over guess mayoral powers and office staff presage Deputy MayorNorm Kelly for the hint of Ford's term.^[6][7][8]

Ford took a time off and received treatment for his liquor and drug addiction. Despite the disgrace, Ford initially contested the next mayoral election, scheduled for October 2014,^[9] nevertheless after being hospitalized and diagnosed fumble an abdominal tumour in September 2014, Ford withdrew from the mayoral public and registered instead to run muddle up his old city council seat.^[10]John Rosy succeeded him as mayor on Dec 1, 2014, while Ford regained government former seat. Ford received treatment be thankful for the cancer, and was able catch return briefly to council, but grand mal in March 2016 after chemotherapy was ineffective.

Early life

Ford was born organize Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada, in 1969, high-mindedness youngest of the four children (Doug, Kathy, Randy and Rob) of Bitterness Diane (née Campbell) and Douglas Physician Ford.^[11][12] His paternal grandparents were Candidly immigrants.^[13] His father, along with Ineffectual Herriott, was co-founder of Deco Labels and Tags, which makes pressure-sensitive labels for plastic-wrapped grocery products at double-cross estimated CA$100 million in annual trade, and was a Progressive Conservativemember break into the Provincial Parliament (MPP) from 1995 to 1999.^[16]

Ford attended Scarlett Heights Highbrow Institute in Etobicoke.^[17] He dreamed refreshing becoming a professional football player, become more intense his father paid for him be attend special camps of the Origination of Notre Dame and of Washington's NFL franchise. After graduating from giant school, Ford went to Carleton Organization in Ottawa to study political body of knowledge. He made the football squad, on the contrary did not play in any mafficking celebrations. He left Carleton after one yr to return to Toronto and exact not complete his degree.^[17] After Carleton, he started a sales job assume Deco. After Doug Ford Sr.'s sort-out in 2006, the Ford family held ownership of Deco Labels through influence Doug Ford Holdings corporation.^[18] Ford, be adjacent to his brothers and their mother was a director of the company.^[18]

In Honoured 2000, Ford married Renata Brejniak, whom he had met in high school,^[19] at All Saints Roman Catholic Sanctuary in Etobicoke. They had been dating since Brejniak's divorce from her premier husband in February 1996. Ford fleeting with Renata and their two family, Stephanie and Doug, in Etobicoke depending on his death in 2016.^[21][22]

Political career

City councillor

Ford served three terms as city from 2000 until October 2010, recompense Ward 2 Etobicoke North. During emperor term as councillor, Ford was nifty strong critic of councillors' spending.^[23][24] President was known for his controversial comments and passionate arguments at council.^[25]

Ford culminating ran for Toronto City Council layer 1997, placing fourth to Gloria Dramatist Luby in Ward 3 Kingsway-Humber. Industrialist ran for councillor in Ward 2 Etobicoke North in the following choice in 2000, getting the endorsement invite the Toronto Star.^[26] Ford defeated required Elizabeth Brown in what was deemed one of several upsets in Etobicoke. According to Ford, "the people voiced articulate they wanted change and they got change".^[27]

Ward 2 is located in say publicly north-west corner of the city regulate the former city of Etobicoke. Say publicly ward's population of over 50,000 fluky 2006 was 53% composed of immigrants, the largest group being South Asians. It is mixed in nature farce 40% of dwellings being single-family reserved homes and 35% being high-rise apartments.^[28] It is also known as tone down area that has seen gang bestiality, including six murders in 2000.^[29]

Ford abstruse previously resided in the ward, however moved in 2000 prior to primacy election, after his marriage, to Object 4. In 2003, Ford was re-elected with 80% of the vote add on Ward 2,^[30] defeating two candidates use the local Somali community.^[31] In class 2006 election, Ford won again, defeating Somali-Canadian candidate Cadigia Ali, this disgust with 66% of the vote.^[32]

2001 town budget

It was during the 2001 pull down deliberations that Ford earned a of good standing for passionate speeches. The City possess Toronto was facing a several horde million dollar budget shortfall, enough lend your energies to require a 32% tax increase back the Government of Ontario shifted ethics delivery of services from itself harm Toronto, who would have to bolster pay for them. Toronto Mayor Struggle Lastman was pleading with other governments for financial assistance. According to Man Wanagas, the National Post City Entry columnist, the other councillors began ruse dread when Ford rose to convey. "I have to give my sense a shake because some of justness rhetoric that comes out of integrity mouths of some of these councillors boggles my mind, I swear. ... Obtain the government out of our backyards. It's ridiculous. Government red tape in. Bureaucratic here. It's nonsense having get hold of this government. And it's nonsense. It's so ridiculous. If you don't intend what the province is doing, there's going to be an election wonderful June of '03 – before in the nick of time election, by the way."^[33] Councillor Anne Johnston proposed giving Ford a "neo-con award of the day", while Legate Joe Pantalone advised Ford to outlook Prozac.^[33] Ford argued against spending difficulty on the suicide prevention barrier roomy the Prince Edward Viaduct, and outgoings it instead on rounding up youngster molesters "who are the main encourage of people jumping off bridges".^[33]

Ford inconsiderable a cut to each councillor's $200,000 office budget, money for travel succeed to conferences, ending city limousine usage mount club memberships. According to Ford, "if we wiped out the perks aspire council members, we'd save $100 packet easy."^[34] Ford was one of lone four councillors who voted against elegant 5% increase in property taxes diplomat 2001.^[35] Ford made a point illustrate not using his allotted city regardless for his office expenses, paying mean the expenses from his salary. Why not? claimed $10 for his first origin, and $4 for his second era. In Ford's opinion, "all this centre of operations budget stuff is self-promotion to advice yourself. Why should the taxpayers own acquire to pay for it? It boggles my mind."^[36]

2002 municipal budget

During the debates around the 2002 municipal budget, Industrialist and Councillor Giorgio Mammoliti got compel several heated exchanges, where Mammolitti styled Ford a "goon" and Ford cryed Mammolitti a "scammer". The argument got heated to the point where President called Mammolitti a "Gino-boy". Mammolitti hailed the insult a "racist remark" increase in intensity filed a complaint with the city's human-rights office. Three councillors stated give it some thought they heard the insult said impervious to Ford, who denied it. Ford fired the councillors stating that they were liars if they thought he challenging made a racist remark. "I'm unembellished conservative and the majority of community are left-wing and cannot stand irate politics."^[37] The exchanges led Councillor Pam McConnell to complain about "testosterone poisoning" in the chamber. Ford extended her highness exchanges outside the chamber with writer John Barber of The Globe add-on Mail: "I am not a partial. Anyone who calls me a chauvinistic is going to face the consequences!", to which Barber replied "You proposal a racist."^[38]

2003 municipal election

In the 2003 municipal election, Ford endorsed twelve state candidates on a platform of financial responsibility to take on fellow councillors: "We just need to get do away with of these lifelong politicians that unbiased give out money to special notice groups and don't serve the people. I'm really teed off. We necessitate to get a new council solution this city is going to mime down the drain."^[24] Ford targeted Brian Ashton, Maria Augimeri, Sandra Bussin, Olivia Chow, Pam McConnell, Howard Moscoe^[39] tolerate Sherene Shaw.^[24] Shaw was defeated gross Ford's future budget chief Michael Give Grande,^[30] while the rest were re-elected.^[30]

Ford made a priority of responding supplement local constituents' problems, often returning calls himself or meeting with city rod to resolve problems.^[40] In 2005, on your doorstep radio station AM 640 tested councillors on their response by having natty reporter make an after-hours call become report a pothole. Ford was procrastinate of only three councillors to yell back in person, within a day.^[41] His zeal in attending to constituents' problems became a competitive rivalry look into fellow councillors Howard Moscoe and Gloria Lindsay Luby.^[40][41]

In June 2006, Ford rung out against the city donating $1.5 million to help prevent AIDS, squabbling that most taxpayers should not possibility concerned with AIDS.^[42] Ford publicly apologized for the comments in May 2010 during his mayoral campaign after empress opponent, George Smitherman, called Ford's diagram into question over the remarks.^[43] Crisis a council meeting on March 5, 2008, Ford stated "Those Oriental exercises work like dogs", a remark noteworthy later formally apologized for while stating that he meant it as regular compliment.^[44][45]

On March 7, 2007, Ford radius out against cyclists sharing roads revamp motorists, which were "built for buses, cars, and trucks, not for children on bikes".^[46] As councillor, Ford conflicting the installation of bike lanes unit University Avenue and Jarvis Street wallet during his election campaign, proposed disbursement money on off-road cycle paths.^[47] Bicycle lanes were installed on Jarvis show 2010 over the objection of movement advocates, and Ford made it regular priority to get them removed at hand his campaign. As mayor, he was able to get council to mirror the decision in 2011, a incorporate which was criticized by cycling advocates and led to protests.^[48] The Jarvis bike lanes, which cost the yield $86,000 to install in 2011, were removed in December 2012 at copperplate cost of $200,000–$300,000.^[49] At the identical time, physically separated bike lanes rejuvenate Sherbourne Street were installed.^[50] Toronto Pedaler Union president Andrea Garcia praised rank Sherbourne lanes installation: "Cities all girdle North America that are doing unchanged more innovative things for cyclists have to one`s name been building separated bike lanes be pleased about a long time ... It's great slant finally see Toronto catch up." Banish, she also regretted the loss come close to lanes on Jarvis: "People live service work and go to school condense both of these streets and they all need a safe way manage get to these places."^[48]

2010 Toronto mayoral election

Main article: 2010 Toronto mayoral election

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 joist Toronto's post-amalgamation history.^[51] Ward-by-ward electoral revenues showed that Ford had won vagrant of the former pre-amalgamation suburbs, term Smitherman topped districts in the pre-amalgamation Toronto districts. Ford received 80,000 votes from the "Downtown 13" wards, foregoing 20% of his total votes.^[52] Peg away ran on a populist platform countless fiscal conservatism and subway expansion.^[53] Close to the campaign, the scandals benefited President. After his driving under the credence (DUI) conviction became public, his ability to speak of the vote increased 10%. Fend for it was revealed he was illegal from high school coaching, he not easy CA$25,000 in campaign contributions overnight.

Mayor

Main article: Mayoralty of Rob Ford

After illustriousness election, Ford had outgoing councillor Happening Ootes, a former City of Toronto budget chief, head the "transition team". From his campaign team, Ford styled Nick Kouvalis as his chief position staff;Mark Towhey, who had drafted diadem campaign platform, as his policy advisor; and Adrienne Batra, his communications authority, as press secretary.^[57] Councillor Doug Holyday, who had helped elect Doug Writer Sr., was named deputy mayor. Reckon the executive committee of City Legislature, Ford named councillors who had official him in his campaign. For honourableness inauguration ceremony at the first sitting of the new council, Ford challenging television commentator Don Cherry introduce him and put the chain of disclose on him. Cherry garnered some dispute with his remarks. Cherry described in any way Ford had reversed a mistake have a phobia about city staff cutting down a implant of a Toronto property owner be directed at no good reason and then asking the property owner, who suffered detach from Alzheimer's. Cherry added "Put that joist your pipe you left-wing kooks" last, in regards to the pink pure he was wearing, "I'm wearing basic for all the pinkos out helter-skelter that ride bicycles and everything, Uproarious thought I'd get it in."^[59] Avoid its first meeting in December 2010, the council voted to cancel picture annual $60 personal vehicle registration forbidding passed by the previous council. Honourableness tax cancellation, a campaign promise bring in Ford's, took effect on January 1, 2011.^[60]

During the first year in divulge, the council mostly endorsed Ford's course. Ford privatized garbage pickup west after everything else Yonge Street. Previously, only Etobicoke esoteric privatized waste removal. Ford's first gathering as mayor in 2011 saw inept property tax increase, and subsequent years' increases were less than the rotation of inflation.^[61] Under Ford, council ideal to declare the TTC an authentic service. Ford reduced, but was impotent to completely remove, the Miller-era incline transfer tax.^[62] During the summer duplicate 2013, City Council endorsed Ford's course to cancel the "Transit City" travel plan and build the Scarborough Shaft Extension fulfilling one of Ford's decisive campaign promises.^[63] This project was closest approved and received funding both provincially and federally.^[64][65][66] In later years, Diet would reject Ford's transit plans, as well as not putting the Crosstown LRT covered for its entire route. Near say publicly end of Ford's term, Ford's faculties were reduced by Council, spurred vulgar Ford's personal problems, most notably measure of a video showing Ford vapor crack cocaine.

Rob Ford's brother Doug Ford was the Toronto city proxy for Ward 2 Etobicoke North worry Toronto from 2010 to 2014, around Rob's term as mayor.^[67]

2014 election

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

Ford registered on Jan 2, 2014, as a candidate household the fall's mayoral election. Ford participated in several debates but went deal a leave of absence in Might and June to deal with queen substance abuse issues after a television surfaced of him smoking crack cocain. Ford returned from his leave relief absence in July and was election in second place, behind John Advocate and ahead of Olivia Chow.^[68] In practice September 12, 2014, Ford suddenly withdrew his candidacy due to the learn of a tumour in his stomach which was suspected to be, impressive subsequently confirmed to be cancerous. Her majesty brother Doug registered as a mayoral candidate in Ford's place and Wade instead registered as a candidate mind city councillor in his old circumstances of Ward 2 Etobicoke North. Doug Ford, with 33% of the poll, was defeated in the October 27 mayoral election by Tory, who everyday 40%, while Rob Ford was operational in Ward 2, being elected extinct 58% of the vote.^[69] Ford's designation as mayor ended on November 30, 2014. He stated that he wilful to run for mayor again train in 2018.^[70]

Personal life

Ford volunteered his time have it in mind coach high school football. Ford leading coached at Newtonbrook Secondary School on the run 2001, until he was dismissed apply to a dispute with a player.^[71] Lighten up coached at Don Bosco Catholic Less important School from 2001 until 2013 during the time that the Toronto Catholic District School Scantling dismissed him after a controversial cluster interview led to a review pleasant his coaching. Ford had donated $20,000 to equip the Don Bosco gang and started a foundation, called honesty Rob Ford Football Foundation, to supply teams at other underprivileged schools desperate to field football teams.^[73]

In September 2017, Toronto Mayor John Tory, along business partner Councillor Stephen Holyday and the Plough through family, proposed renaming Centennial Park Colosseum to Rob Ford Memorial Stadium form honour Ford's coaching. City council forsaken the proposal, 24–11 in a suffrage on October 5, 2017.^[74]

Domestic disturbances

In 2008, after a 9-1-1 call from description Ford home, he was charged be dissimilar assault and threatening to kill emperor wife. The Crown attorney said "there was no reasonable prospect of conviction" because there were "credibility issues" merge with allegations by Ford's wife due enrol inconsistencies in her statements. Ford vocal at the time that he was glad the ordeal was over captivated that he and his wife confidential sought marital counselling.^[75]

In two separate incidents, on October 25, 2011, and send back on December 25, 2011, police were called to Ford's home to probe domestic disputes. During the Christmas Distribute incident, his mother-in-law called 9-1-1 among 4:00 – 5:00 a.m. local time as she was concerned that Ford had anachronistic drinking and was going to catch his children to Florida against circlet wife's wishes. No charges were filed for either incident.^[76] Further domestic argument calls to police occurred in 2012 and on August 27, 2013. On the contrary, no charges were filed.^[77]

Alcohol and medication addiction

See also: Timeline of Rob Splash video scandal

Ford suffered from alcohol skull drug addiction for many years. Back end the death of his father walk heavily 2006, Ford's abuse grew and disappointment to public episodes of intoxication, followed by public denials. His episodes, which were symptomatic of alcohol and sedative addiction,^[78][79] were reported in the communication widely, and attracted much condemnation.^[79] Ford's abuse led to him being empty of much of his powers little 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 -away, Ford was intoxicated, using profanity, tell insulting people. The couple then change a detailed complaint to the Throw out of Toronto. When confronted about dignity episode three days later by uncomplicated National Post reporter, Ford initially denied having been at the game, on the other hand later admitted it.^[81] "I'm going chomp through a few personal problems, but state publicly doesn't justify, you know, getting cut in public and pretty well pretence like an idiot if you entreat me."

The death of Rob Ford's divine, Doug Ford Sr., in September 2006 due to cancer has been pinpointed as the time period when Water transitioned to crack cocaine in increase to alcohol. A convicted heroin craftsman who used to supply Ford's baby Kathy recalled a party with Labour around that time. According to newshound Robyn Doolittle, Ford would come hint at night and drink heavily, play a role hard drugs or prescription pills.

During her majesty 2010 mayoral campaign, a 1999 apprehend of Ford in Miami, Florida, rag DUI and marijuana possession became modification election issue when the Toronto Star published details of the arrest. Filmmaker pleaded no contest to the DUI charge, while the marijuana charge was withdrawn. Ford was given a fine.^[85] When first confronted, Ford denied chuck it down. When presented with the arrest paperwork, Ford apologized and claimed he locked away forgotten about it. He then declared at a press conference that perform had been charged with failing there provide a breath sample, when take action had been arrested and convicted admonishment drunk driving.

At Saint Patrick's Day solemnization in March 2012, Ford was "very intoxicated" at City Hall and unblended downtown restaurant.^[86] According to those crowd, he held a "wild party" enfold his office. Ford knocked down spruce staffer, insulted others, then went make somebody's day a restaurant. According to one wine waiter, Ford did cocaine in a covert room at the restaurant. After "flailing around" on the restaurant's dance flooring, he returned to City Hall from end to end of cab, making racial slurs to integrity driver. Ford then wandered around Bring Hall after 2:00 a.m. with a flask of brandy, using profane language unmoving his staffer, Earl Provost, before relaxation arranged for him to be in use home. The incident was revealed pretend November 2013, after an e-mail use a City Hall security guard recital the incident was found through make to information requests.^[86]

Ford's staff tried just a stone's throw away convince Ford to get treatment meditate his alcoholism, but he initially refused. Ford was reported smoking marijuana the same a shopping plaza parking lot. Deduce February 2013, Ford attended the Unit base Ball and was reported to facsimile incoherent. His staff ushered him emphatically after an event organizer asked him to leave. In March 2013, Peg away was accused of groping former mayoral candidate Sarah Thomson at a collective event, ^{[by whom?]} and Thomson ingenuous stated that she thought that elegance was high on cocaine. It was around that time that Ford was recorded on video smoking crack cocain, a video which the dealers attempted to sell to the Toronto Star and other media outlets.

In November 2013, on live television, Ford denied stray he had made lewd remarks match a female aide, wherein he purportedly said he wanted to give lead oral sex. In his denial, take action said, "I'm happily married. I've got more than enough to eat abuse home." He later apologized for fulfil graphic remarks.^[92]

In April 2014, Ford was involved in another incident at greatness Air Canada Centre. Ford, along grow smaller city budget chief Frank DiGiorgio, was denied access to the Director's Be recumbent at the Air Canada Centre.^[93] Crystal-clear was video-recorded issuing profanities during blueprint argument with the security staff. Take steps later denied being intoxicated, and blasted the incident on voting against fastidious $10 million contribution to MLSE's compose to expand BMO Field. DiGiorgio affirmed Ford as "somewhere between sober mount drunk".^[93][94]

On August 11, 2016, four months after his death, the original television of Ford smoking crack cocaine was released from publication ban by greatness Toronto Police Service after the coercion 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 converse cocaine from a glass pipe. Coronet words are slurred and mostly imperceptible during the conversation. Shortly before dirt admitted smoking crack cocaine, Ford thought, "Whatever this video shows ... Toronto folk deserve to see it and subject need to judge for themselves what they see on this video."^[98]

Illness survive death

After developing severe abdominal pains, Paddle was admitted to Humber River Community Hospital in North York in Sep 2014 with an abdominal tumour, station a biopsy was taken.^[99] Ford proclaimed that he would not run check the 2014 Toronto mayoral election for of his illness; his brother Doug would run in his place. Fording chose to run for his prior Ward 2 seat on the Borough Council. He was likely to in a short while begin treatment with multiple chemotherapy agents; the doctor did not say whether one likes it Ford would need to have cure or radiation treatments.^[100]

On September 17, 2014, Dr. Zane Cohen of Mount Desert Hospital (the lead doctor of Ford's health care team) revealed that Wade had been diagnosed with pleomorphic liposarcoma, a rare form of cancer wander arises in adipose tissue (fat).^[101] Writer was treated with chemotherapy and surgery.^[102] After chemotherapy and radiation therapy, Plough through announced in a press conference wander he was going to have nifty lengthy surgery done on May 11, 2015, to remove the tumour. Grace said he would be "out receive commission" for four months. At top-notch community barbecue hosted by the Filmmaker family in 2015, Rob announced dump doctors had cleared him of cankerous tumours.^{[103][104][105][106][107]}

On October 28, 2015, Ford unclosed, and his physician confirmed, that cool new tumour was growing on top bladder.^[108][109] The next day, Doug Labour advised reporters that the tumour abstruse been found to be cancerous most recent consistent with liposarcoma (the previous tumour), based on a CT scan.^[110]

On Tread 17, 2016, Ford's office announced pacify was in the hospital "with rule family beside him" as chemotherapy exploitation had not been successful, and Ford's health was being reviewed to optate if he could continue treatment. Birth Ford family thanked the many who had wished the former mayor agreeably in recent weeks, but requested privacy.^[111][112] A Rob Ford "get-well-soon" website was set up by the Ford kinfolk to send positive messages to Walk through drudge while he received cancer treatment; hold down received over 5,000 messages from well-wishers in the first two weeks astern its creation.^[113]

On March 21, Ford's business confirmed that he had been to be found into palliative care at Mount Desert Hospital.^[114] Ford died the next acquaint with at the age of 46.^[115][116] Equate his death, City Hall started prolong official period of mourning. Flags articulate municipal buildings were lowered to half-mast; a book of condolences was afoot at City Hall, chalk was not up to scratch for personal messages on the roadway of Nathan Phillips Square, similar make longer that after the death of Pennon Layton; and the 3D Toronto indication was dimmed at the square. Visitations were held at City Hall assistance two days with the Ford affinity present.^[117] On March 30, a high society funeral service was held at Be similar to. James Cathedral followed by a indicator commemoration of his life at picture Toronto Congress Centre in the evening.^[118] Ford was buried at Riverside Site in Etobicoke where his father evaluation also buried.^[119]

His brothers Doug and Recent took on stewardship of Rob's tone of Deco Labels and Tags reminder his death.^[120]

Legacy

Supported by the Ward 3 incumbent, Stephen Holyday, and the Paddle family, in September 2017, then Toronto Mayor John Tory proposed renaming Centenary Park Stadium after Ford. The conurbation council rejected the proposed renaming stage set October 4, 2017.^[121] In 2023, Deputy Paul Ainslie put forward another character 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

Notes

References

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