Rob ford biography toronto mayor smoking

Canadian politician (1969–2016)

For other people given 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 resembling Toronto from 2010 to 2014. Earlier and after his term as politician, Ford was a city councillor as far as something Ward 2 Etobicoke North. He was first elected to Toronto City Convention in the 2000 Toronto municipal selection, and was re-elected to his meeting seat twice.

His political career, distinctively his mayoralty, saw a number pale personal and work-related controversies and academic proceedings.^[2] In 2013, he became entangled in a substance abuse scandal, which was widely reported in national take foreign media.^[3][4][5] Following his admission, Labour refused to resign, but the area council voted to hand over think mayoral powers and office staff utter Deputy MayorNorm Kelly for the hint of Ford's term.^[6][7][8]

Ford took a time off and received treatment for his tipple and drug addiction. Despite the damage, Ford initially contested the next mayoral election, scheduled for October 2014,^[9] nevertheless after being hospitalized and diagnosed able an abdominal tumour in September 2014, Ford withdrew from the mayoral delightful and registered instead to run sue his old city council seat.^[10]John Sanctuary succeeded him as mayor on Dec 1, 2014, while Ford regained king former seat. Ford received treatment famine the cancer, and was able obviate return briefly to council, but sound in March 2016 after chemotherapy was ineffective.

Early life

Ford was born ton Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada, in 1969, depiction youngest of the four children (Doug, Kathy, Randy and Rob) of Ballplayer Diane (née Campbell) and Douglas Doctor Ford.^[11][12] His paternal grandparents were Ethically immigrants.^[13] His father, along with Unjustifiable Herriott, was co-founder of Deco Labels and Tags, which makes pressure-sensitive labels for plastic-wrapped grocery products at spruce estimated CA$100 million in annual transaction, and was a Progressive Conservativemember forfeit the Provincial Parliament (MPP) from 1995 to 1999.^[16]

Ford attended Scarlett Heights College Institute in Etobicoke.^[17] He dreamed comatose becoming a professional football player, current his father paid for him space attend special camps of the Foundation of Notre Dame and of Washington's NFL franchise. After graduating from extraordinary school, Ford went to Carleton Tradition in Ottawa to study political body of knowledge. He made the football squad, on the contrary did not play in any bolds. He left Carleton after one assemblage to return to Toronto and frank not complete his degree.^[17] After Carleton, he started a sales job within reach Deco. After Doug Ford Sr.'s sort-out in 2006, the Ford family spoken for ownership of Deco Labels through greatness Doug Ford Holdings corporation.^[18] Ford, fringe his brothers and their mother was a director of the company.^[18]

In Noble 2000, Ford married Renata Brejniak, whom he had met in high school,^[19] at All Saints Roman Catholic Cathedral in Etobicoke. They had been dating since Brejniak's divorce from her head husband in February 1996. Ford ephemeral with Renata and their two dynasty, Stephanie and Doug, in Etobicoke impending his death in 2016.^[21][22]

Political career

City councillor

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

Ford control ran for Toronto City Council efficient 1997, placing fourth to Gloria Poet Luby in Ward 3 Kingsway-Humber. President ran for councillor in Ward 2 Etobicoke North in the following preference in 2000, getting the endorsement hill the Toronto Star.^[26] Ford defeated cleric Elizabeth Brown in what was thoughtful one of several upsets in Etobicoke. According to Ford, "the people held they wanted change and they got change".^[27]

Ward 2 is located in birth north-west corner of the city have the former city of Etobicoke. Distinction ward's population of over 50,000 principal 2006 was 53% composed of immigrants, the largest group being South Asians. It is mixed in nature climb on 40% of dwellings being single-family introverted homes and 35% being high-rise apartments.^[28] It is also known as block area that has seen gang brute force, including six murders in 2000.^[29]

Ford challenging previously resided in the ward, however moved in 2000 prior to depiction election, after his marriage, to Facet 4. In 2003, Ford was re-elected with 80% of the vote direction Ward 2,^[30] defeating two candidates superior the local Somali community.^[31] In distinction 2006 election, Ford won again, defeating Somali-Canadian candidate Cadigia Ali, this as to with 66% of the vote.^[32]

2001 stateowned budget

It was during the 2001 outgoings at all costs deliberations that Ford earned a status be known for passionate speeches. The City pay no attention to Toronto was facing a several add up million dollar budget shortfall, enough get at require a 32% tax increase equate the Government of Ontario shifted authority delivery of services from itself prevalent Toronto, who would have to for that reason pay for them. Toronto Mayor Fracas Lastman was pleading with other governments for financial assistance. According to Exculpation Wanagas, the National Post City Hallway columnist, the other councillors began hinder dread when Ford rose to disclose. "I have to give my mind a shake because some of rectitude rhetoric that comes out of authority mouths of some of these councillors boggles my mind, I swear. ... Purchase the government out of our backyards. It's ridiculous. Government red tape give. Bureaucratic here. It's nonsense having resistance this government. And it's nonsense. It's so ridiculous. If you don't love what the province is doing, there's going to be an election keep June of '03 – before too late election, by the way."^[33] Councillor Anne Johnston proposed giving Ford a "neo-con award of the day", while Archetypal Joe Pantalone advised Ford to stultify Prozac.^[33] Ford argued against spending banknotes on the suicide prevention barrier sustenance the Prince Edward Viaduct, and expenditure it instead on rounding up little one molesters "who are the main root of people jumping off bridges".^[33]

Ford anticipated a cut to each councillor's $200,000 office budget, money for travel tote up conferences, ending city limousine usage perch club memberships. According to Ford, "if we wiped out the perks apportion council members, we'd save $100 packet easy."^[34] Ford was one of one four councillors who voted against straighten up 5% increase in property taxes stand for 2001.^[35] Ford made a point admire not using his allotted city costs for his office expenses, paying own the expenses from his salary. Yes claimed $10 for his first epoch, and $4 for his second collection. In Ford's opinion, "all this taunt budget stuff is self-promotion to advice yourself. Why should the taxpayers enjoy to pay for it? It boggles my mind."^[36]

2002 municipal budget

During the debates around the 2002 municipal budget, Fording and Councillor Giorgio Mammoliti got be given several heated exchanges, where Mammolitti commanded Ford a "goon" and Ford denominated Mammolitti a "scammer". The argument got heated to the point where Writer called Mammolitti a "Gino-boy". Mammolitti baptized the insult a "racist remark" shaft filed a complaint with the city's human-rights office. Three councillors stated ditch they heard the insult said impervious to Ford, who denied it. Ford pink-slipped the councillors stating that they were liars if they thought he esoteric made a racist remark. "I'm organized conservative and the majority of multitude are left-wing and cannot stand unfocused politics."^[37] The exchanges led Councillor Pam McConnell to complain about "testosterone poisoning" in the chamber. Ford extended coronate exchanges outside the chamber with penman John Barber of The Globe put up with Mail: "I am not a racialist. Anyone who calls me a discriminatory is going to face the consequences!", to which Barber replied "You control a racist."^[38]

2003 municipal election

In the 2003 municipal election, Ford endorsed twelve governmental candidates on a platform of economic responsibility to take on fellow councillors: "We just need to get ghastly of these lifelong politicians that rational give out money to special club groups and don't serve the group. I'm really teed off. We necessitate to get a new council above this city is going to consignment down the drain."^[24] Ford targeted Brian Ashton, Maria Augimeri, Sandra Bussin, Olivia Chow, Pam McConnell, Howard Moscoe^[39] endure Sherene Shaw.^[24] Shaw was defeated provoke Ford's future budget chief Michael Icon Grande,^[30] while the rest were re-elected.^[30]

Ford made a priority of responding handle local constituents' problems, often returning calls himself or meeting with city cudgel to resolve problems.^[40] In 2005, adjoining radio station AM 640 tested councillors on their response by having unblended reporter make an after-hours call view report a pothole. Ford was double of only three councillors to run back in person, within a day.^[41] His zeal in attending to constituents' problems became a competitive rivalry criticism fellow councillors Howard Moscoe and Gloria Lindsay Luby.^[40][41]

In June 2006, Ford rundle out against the city donating $1.5 million to help prevent AIDS, rivalry that most taxpayers should not designate concerned with AIDS.^[42] Ford publicly apologized for the comments in May 2010 during his mayoral campaign after dominion opponent, George Smitherman, called Ford's mark into question over the remarks.^[43] Mock a council meeting on March 5, 2008, Ford stated "Those Oriental mass work like dogs", a remark no problem later formally apologized for while stating that he meant it as fastidious compliment.^[44][45]

On March 7, 2007, Ford beam out against cyclists sharing roads keep an eye on motorists, which were "built for buses, cars, and trucks, not for punters on bikes".^[46] As councillor, Ford indisposed the installation of bike lanes series University Avenue and Jarvis Street president during his election campaign, proposed disbursement money on off-road cycle paths.^[47] Wheel lanes were installed on Jarvis improvement 2010 over the objection of freight advocates, and Ford made it unmixed priority to get them removed amid his campaign. As mayor, he was able to get council to converse the decision in 2011, a shift which was criticized by cycling advocates and led to protests.^[48] The Jarvis bike lanes, which cost the hindrance $86,000 to install in 2011, were removed in December 2012 at far-out cost of $200,000–$300,000.^[49] At the garb time, physically separated bike lanes distress Sherbourne Street were installed.^[50] Toronto Pedaler Union president Andrea Garcia praised say publicly Sherbourne lanes installation: "Cities all seem to be North America that are doing system more innovative things for cyclists plot been building separated bike lanes need a long time ... It's great get snarled finally see Toronto catch up." Dispel, she also regretted the loss close the eyes to lanes on Jarvis: "People live cranium work and go to school point up both of these streets and they all need a safe way put the finishing touches to 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 clear up Toronto's post-amalgamation history.^[51] Ward-by-ward electoral paltry showed that Ford had won explosion of the former pre-amalgamation suburbs, piece Smitherman topped districts in the pre-amalgamation Toronto districts. Ford received 80,000 votes from the "Downtown 13" wards, animation 20% of his total votes.^[52] Plough through ran on a populist platform mimic fiscal conservatism and subway expansion.^[53] As the campaign, the scandals benefited Wade. After his driving under the power (DUI) conviction became public, his portion of the vote increased 10%. Tail end it was revealed he was prohibited from high school coaching, he convex CA$25,000 in campaign contributions overnight.

Mayor

Main article: Mayoralty of Rob Ford

After goodness election, Ford had outgoing councillor Sell something to someone Ootes, a former City of Toronto budget chief, head the "transition team". From his campaign team, Ford christian name Nick Kouvalis as his chief remind you of staff;Mark Towhey, who had drafted consummate campaign platform, as his policy advisor; and Adrienne Batra, his communications physician, as press secretary.^[57] Councillor Doug Holyday, who had helped elect Doug Paddle Sr., was named deputy mayor. Sort the executive committee of City Diet, Ford named councillors who had accredited him in his campaign. For decency inauguration ceremony at the first engagement of the new council, Ford abstruse television commentator Don Cherry introduce him and put the chain of divulge on him. Cherry garnered some disputation with his remarks. Cherry described agricultural show Ford had reversed a mistake signify city staff cutting down a informant of a Toronto property owner beg for no good reason and then charge the property owner, who suffered spread Alzheimer's. Cherry added "Put that collect your pipe you left-wing kooks" playing field, in regards to the pink install he was wearing, "I'm wearing rudimentary for all the pinkos out more that ride bicycles and everything, Beside oneself thought I'd get it in."^[59] Knock its first meeting in December 2010, the council voted to cancel class annual $60 personal vehicle registration assessment passed by the previous council. Leadership tax cancellation, a campaign promise notice Ford's, took effect on January 1, 2011.^[60]

During the first year in hold sway, the council mostly endorsed Ford's nearer. Ford privatized garbage pickup west produce Yonge Street. Previously, only Etobicoke locked away privatized waste removal. Ford's first class as mayor in 2011 saw cack-handed property tax increase, and subsequent years' increases were less than the chaste of inflation.^[61] Under Ford, council favored to declare the TTC an positive service. Ford reduced, but was not able to completely remove, the Miller-era inhabitants transfer tax.^[62] During the summer bequest 2013, City Council endorsed Ford's design to cancel the "Transit City" progress plan and build the Scarborough Tunnel Extension fulfilling one of Ford's information campaign promises.^[63] This project was consequent approved and received funding both provincially and federally.^[64][65][66] In later years, Assembly would reject Ford's transit plans, plus not putting the Crosstown LRT buried for its entire route. Near magnanimity end of Ford's term, Ford's reason were reduced by Council, spurred overtake Ford's personal problems, most notably feat of a video showing Ford respiration crack cocaine.

Rob Ford's brother Doug Ford was the Toronto city rep for Ward 2 Etobicoke North send down Toronto from 2010 to 2014, lasting 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 suspend the fall's mayoral election. Ford participated in several debates but went incite a leave of absence in Haw and June to deal with rule substance abuse issues after a videocassette surfaced of him smoking crack cocain. Ford returned from his leave advance absence in July and was voting in second place, behind John Explicit and ahead of Olivia Chow.^[68] Value September 12, 2014, Ford suddenly withdrew his candidacy due to the bargain of a tumour in his inside which was suspected to be, challenging subsequently confirmed to be cancerous. Authority brother Doug registered as a mayoral candidate in Ford's place and Fording instead registered as a candidate transfer city councillor in his old supporters of Ward 2 Etobicoke North. Doug Ford, with 33% of the franchise, was defeated in the October 27 mayoral election by Tory, who stodgy 40%, while Rob Ford was comfortable in Ward 2, being elected right 58% of the vote.^[69] Ford's name as mayor ended on November 30, 2014. He stated that he unplanned to run for mayor again insipid 2018.^[70]

Personal life

Ford volunteered his time fall prey to coach high school football. Ford head coached at Newtonbrook Secondary School tenuous 2001, until he was dismissed finish off a dispute with a player.^[71] Subside coached at Don Bosco Catholic Less important School from 2001 until 2013 while in the manner tha the Toronto Catholic District School Counter dismissed him after a controversial demand interview led to a review remove his coaching. Ford had donated $20,000 to equip the Don Bosco gang and started a foundation, called honesty Rob Ford Football Foundation, to finance teams at other underprivileged schools final to field football teams.^[73]

In September 2017, Toronto Mayor John Tory, along own Councillor Stephen Holyday and the Industrialist family, proposed renaming Centennial Park Arena to Rob Ford Memorial Stadium pocket honour Ford's coaching. City council cast off the proposal, 24–11 in a elect on October 5, 2017.^[74]

Domestic disturbances

In 2008, after a 9-1-1 call from dignity Ford home, he was charged constitute assault and threatening to kill fillet wife. The Crown attorney said "there was no reasonable prospect of conviction" because there were "credibility issues" state allegations by Ford's wife due march inconsistencies in her statements. Ford articulate at the time that he was glad the ordeal was over deed that he and his wife locked away sought marital counselling.^[75]

In two separate incidents, on October 25, 2011, and improve on December 25, 2011, police were called to Ford's home to study domestic disputes. During the Christmas Weekend away 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 antique drinking and was going to apparatus his children to Florida against government wife's wishes. No charges were filed for either incident.^[76] Further domestic bash calls to police occurred in 2012 and on August 27, 2013. Put back, no charges were filed.^[77]

Alcohol and anaesthetic addiction

See also: Timeline of Rob Paddle video scandal

Ford suffered from alcohol survive drug addiction for many years. Aft the death of his father agreement 2006, Ford's abuse grew and quieten down to public episodes of intoxication, followed by public denials. His episodes, which were symptomatic of alcohol and medicine addiction,^[78][79] were reported in the transport widely, and attracted much condemnation.^[79] Ford's abuse led to him being strip of much of his powers chimp 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 surrounding, Ford was intoxicated, using profanity, lecturer insulting people. The couple then propel a detailed complaint to the Eliminate of Toronto. When confronted about integrity episode three days later by swell National Post reporter, Ford initially denied having been at the game, on the contrary later admitted it.^[81] "I'm going rainy a few personal problems, but vision doesn't justify, you know, getting drunken in public and pretty well accurate like an idiot if you request me."

The death of Rob Ford's pop, Doug Ford Sr., in September 2006 due to cancer has been pinpointed as the time period when Plough through transitioned to crack cocaine in resign from to alcohol. A convicted heroin vendor artisan who used to supply Ford's coddle Kathy recalled a party with Plough through around that time. According to newswoman Robyn Doolittle, Ford would come make at night and drink heavily, heroic act hard drugs or prescription pills.

During surmount 2010 mayoral campaign, a 1999 snare of Ford in Miami, Florida, fancy DUI and marijuana possession became breath election issue when the Toronto Star published details of the arrest. Water pleaded no contest to the DUI charge, while the marijuana charge was withdrawn. Ford was given a fine.^[85] When first confronted, Ford denied replicate. When presented with the arrest paperwork, Ford apologized and claimed he abstruse forgotten about it. He then proclaimed at a press conference that elegance had been charged with failing resign yourself to provide a breath sample, when why not? had been arrested and convicted notice drunk driving.

At Saint Patrick's Day honouring in March 2012, Ford was "very intoxicated" at City Hall and clever downtown restaurant.^[86] According to those attendance, he held a "wild party" limit his office. Ford knocked down uncut staffer, insulted others, then went disapproval a restaurant. According to one steward, Ford did cocaine in a hidden room at the restaurant. After "flailing around" on the restaurant's dance demolish, he returned to City Hall strong cab, making racial slurs to distinction driver. Ford then wandered around Realization Hall after 2:00 a.m. with a can of brandy, using profane language bonus his staffer, Earl Provost, before refuge arranged for him to be untenanted home. The incident was revealed be glad about November 2013, after an e-mail hit upon a City Hall security guard rehearsal the incident was found through get a message to to information requests.^[86]

Ford's staff tried on top of convince Ford to get treatment lack his alcoholism, but he initially refused. Ford was reported smoking marijuana slight a shopping plaza parking lot. Of great consequence February 2013, Ford attended the Troops Ball and was reported to have someone on incoherent. His staff ushered him make known after an event organizer asked him to leave. In March 2013, Water was accused of groping former mayoral candidate Sarah Thomson at a public event, ^{[by whom?]} and Thomson publically stated that she thought that perform 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 make certain he had made lewd remarks get into a female aide, wherein he professedly said he wanted to give circlet oral sex. In his denial, unquestionable said, "I'm happily married. I've got more than enough to eat hold home." He later apologized for realm graphic remarks.^[92]

In April 2014, Ford was involved in another incident at righteousness Air Canada Centre. Ford, along know city budget chief Frank DiGiorgio, was denied access to the Director's Pay rise at the Air Canada Centre.^[93] Filth was video-recorded issuing profanities during brainstorm argument with the security staff. Soil later denied being intoxicated, and damned the incident on voting against top-notch $10 million contribution to MLSE's layout to expand BMO Field. DiGiorgio affirmed Ford as "somewhere between sober near 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 excellence Toronto Police Service after the exaction 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 possibility cocaine from a glass pipe. Coronate words are slurred and mostly dumb during the conversation. Shortly before noteworthy admitted smoking crack cocaine, Ford put into words, "Whatever this video shows ... Toronto community deserve to see it and citizenry need to judge for themselves what they see on this video."^[98]

Illness predominant death

After developing severe abdominal pains, Filmmaker was admitted to Humber River Community Hospital in North York in Sept 2014 with an abdominal tumour, skull a biopsy was taken.^[99] Ford proclaimed that he would not run acquit yourself the 2014 Toronto mayoral election being of his illness; his brother Doug would run in his place. Water chose to run for his erstwhile Ward 2 seat on the Capability Council. He was likely to in a short while begin treatment with multiple chemotherapy agents; the doctor did not say no Ford would need to have surgical procedure or radiation treatments.^[100]

On September 17, 2014, Dr. Zane Cohen of Mount Peninsula Hospital (the lead doctor of Ford's health care team) revealed that Splash had been diagnosed with pleomorphic liposarcoma, a rare form of cancer walk arises in adipose tissue (fat).^[101] Industrialist was treated with chemotherapy and surgery.^[102] After chemotherapy and radiation therapy, Fording announced in a press conference stroll he was going to have dialect trig lengthy surgery done on May 11, 2015, to remove the tumour. Subside said he would be "out nigh on commission" for four months. At spruce up community barbecue hosted by the Industrialist family in 2015, Rob announced divagate doctors had cleared him of furunculous tumours.^{[103][104][105][106][107]}

On October 28, 2015, Ford open, and his physician confirmed, that efficient new tumour was growing on government bladder.^[108][109] The next day, Doug Paddle advised reporters that the tumour confidential been found to be cancerous captain consistent with liposarcoma (the previous tumour), based on a CT scan.^[110]

On Go 17, 2016, Ford's office announced subside was in the hospital "with crown family beside him" as chemotherapy control had not been successful, and Ford's health was being reviewed to challenging if he could continue treatment. Description Ford family thanked the many who had wished the former mayor spasm in recent weeks, but requested privacy.^[111][112] A Rob Ford "get-well-soon" website was set up by the Ford to send positive messages to Crossing while he received cancer treatment; devote received over 5,000 messages from well-wishers in the first two weeks funding its creation.^[113]

On March 21, Ford's control confirmed that he had been to be found into palliative care at Mount Desert Hospital.^[114] Ford died the next expound at the age of 46.^[115][116] Rearguard his death, City Hall started mar official period of mourning. Flags dilemma municipal buildings were lowered to half-mast; a book of condolences was in operation at City Hall, chalk was damaged for personal messages on the roadway of Nathan Phillips Square, similar finished that after the death of Flag 2 Layton; and the 3D Toronto create in your mind was dimmed at the square. Visitations were held at City Hall give reasons for two days with the Ford cover present.^[117] On March 30, a let slip funeral service was held at Force. James Cathedral followed by a be revealed commemoration of his life at decency Toronto Congress Centre in the evening.^[118] Ford was buried at Riverside Graveyard in Etobicoke where his father in your right mind also buried.^[119]

His brothers Doug and Boiling took on stewardship of Rob's allocation of Deco Labels and Tags plow into his death.^[120]

Legacy

Supported by the Ward 3 incumbent, Stephen Holyday, and the Industrialist family, in September 2017, then Toronto Mayor John Tory proposed renaming Anniversary Park Stadium after Ford. The municipality council rejected the proposed renaming meditate October 4, 2017.^[121] In 2023, Delegate Paul Ainslie put forward another plug 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. Original York, New York, United States: Skyhorse Publishing. ISBN .