Rob Ford: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
[pending revision][pending revision]
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
No edit summary
←Blanked the page
Line 1: Line 1:
{{pp-move|small=yes}}{{other people|Robert Ford}}
{{pp-protected|expiry=2013-09-05T19:08:22Z|small=yes}}{{pp-blp|small=yes}}
{{pp-move-indef}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2013}}
{{Infobox politician
| name = Rob Ford
| image = Rob Ford Mayor.jpg
| imagesize = 220px
| caption =
| office = 64th [[List of mayors of Toronto|Mayor of Toronto]]
| term_start = December 1, 2010
| term_end =
|predecessor = [[David Miller (Canadian politician)|David Miller]]
| successor =
| office2 = [[Toronto City Councillor]] for [[Etobicoke North|(Ward 2) Etobicoke North]]
| term_start2 = November 14, 2000
| term_end2 = October 25, 2010
| predecessor2 = Ward created
| successor2 = [[Doug Ford, Jr.]]
|birth_name=Robert Bruce Ford
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1969|5|28}}
| birth_place = [[Etobicoke]], [[Ontario]]
| residence = Toronto
| party = [[Independent (politician)|Independent]] (2000 – present) ''Note: Municipal politicians in Toronto run on a [[Nonpartisan]] basis''
| otherparty= [[Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario]]<ref>{{cite news |first=Richard |last=Gilbert |title=When will Ford's honeymoon end? |newspaper=Toronto Star |date=December 30, 2010 |page=A23}}</ref>
| profession = [[Politician]]
| religion = <!-- needs cite or some reference: [[Roman Catholic]] -->
| spouse = Renata Brejniak (m. 2000)
| children = 5 he ate them

Wants public lynchings instead of public meetings

'''Robert Bruce "Rob" Ford''' (born May 28, 1969) is a Canadian [[politician]] and [[businessman]]. He is the 64th and current Mayor of [[Toronto]], [[Ontario]], Canada. Ford was elected mayor in the 2010 [[Toronto mayoral election, 2010|mayoral election]], and took office on December 1 of that year.

Prior to being mayor, Ford was city councillor for a ward in the Toronto district of [[Etobicoke]]. He was first elected to [[Toronto City Council|city council]] in the [[Toronto municipal election, 2000|2000 Toronto municipal election]], and was re-elected to his council seat in 2003 and again in 2006. His brother [[Doug Ford, Jr.]] is currently a [[Toronto City Councillor|Toronto city councillor]]. Ford's father [[Doug Ford (politician)|Doug Ford, Sr.]] was also a politician and served as [[Member of Provincial Parliament (Ontario)|MPP]]. The Ford family owns Deco Labels, a multi-national labelling and printing firm based in Etobicoke.

During his political career, Ford has been the subject of a number of personal and work related controversies and legal proceedings, including a [[Rob Ford conflict of interest trial|conflict of interest trial]] that nearly removed him from office.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=Toronto Star |title=Rob Ford: 42 remarkable moments from Toronto mayor’s career |url=http://www.thestar.com/news/city_hall/2013/05/17/rob_ford_42_remarkable_moments_from_toronto_mayors_career.html |accessdate=June 10, 2013 |last=Dale |first=Daniel}}</ref> In 2013, he became the subject of allegations of [[substance abuse]], which were widely reported in the national and international media.<ref name="sun-ford-legacy"/>

==Personal life==
Born in Etobicoke in 1969, Ford is the youngest of four children (Doug, Kathy, Randy and Rob) of Diane and [[Doug Ford (politician)|Doug Ford, Sr.]] Ford, Sr. was the founder of Deco Labels and Tags, which makes pressure-sensitive labels for plastic-wrapped grocery products at an estimated $100 million in annual sales.{{sfn|McDonald|2012|p=43}} As an indication of the family's wealth, the success of the family business allowed the family to build a six-bedroom home in Etobicoke, which has a swimming pool and gardens that can host nearly a thousand visitors.{{sfn|McDonald|2012|p=43}}

While growing up, Ford attended the public [[Scarlett Heights Entrepreneurial Academy|Scarlett Heights Collegiate]] in Etobicoke.<ref name="ConfusingUniversity">{{cite news|first=David|last=Rider|work=Toronto Star|title=Rob Ford’s confusing university life|url=http://www.thestar.com/news/torontocouncil/article/910648--rob-ford-s-confusing-university-life|date=December 21, 2010|accessdate=January 2, 2011}}</ref> Ford dreamed of becoming a professional football player and his father paid for Ford to attend special camps of the [[Washington Redskins]] and the [[University of Notre Dame]]. After graduating from high school, Ford went to [[Carleton University]] to study [[political science]]. Ford made the football squad, but did not play in any games. Ford left Carleton after one year to return to Toronto and did not complete his degree.{{sfn|McDonald|2012|p=43}}<ref name="ConfusingUniversity"/>

Ford continued his involvement in football as a high school coach. Ford first coached at [[Newtonbrook Secondary School]] in 2001 until he was dismissed over a dispute with a player.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=Toronto Star |title=Rob Ford told he was unwelcome as a football coach at Toronto high school |url=http://www.thestar.com/news/city_hall/2010/07/13/rob_ford_told_he_was_unwelcome_as_a_football_coach_at_toronto_high_school.html |last1=Cribb |first1=Rob |last2=Rushowy |first2=Kris |date=July 13, 2010 |accessdate=June 10, 2013}}</ref> He coached at [[Don Bosco Catholic Secondary School]] from 2001 until 2013 until the Catholic Board dismissed him after a controversial television interview led to a review of his coaching.<ref name="star-20130522-football">{{cite news |newspaper=The Toronto Star |date=May 22, 2013 |title=Mayor Rob Ford dismissed as football coach at Don Bosco |url=http://www.thestar.com/news/city_hall/2013/05/22/mayor_rob_ford_dismissed_as_football_coach_at_don_bosco.html |last=Dale |first=Daniel}}</ref> Ford had donated $20,000 to equip the Don Bosco team and started a foundation to fund teams at other schools struggling to field football teams.<ref>{{Cite news|title = Rob Ford a team player to schools|first = David |last= Grossman |newspaper=[[Toronto Star]] |date = September 13, 2009| url = http://www.thestar.com/article/694944}}</ref> Ford continued coaching after becoming Toronto mayor and was criticized for involving his political aides in the Don Bosco program and the football foundation. His fund-raising for the football foundation on city letterhead led to his being sued for conflict of interest.<ref name="star-20130522-football"/>

After Carleton, Ford started a sales job at Deco.{{sfn|McDonald|2012|p=43}} After Doug Ford Sr.'s death in 2006, the Ford family retained ownership of the firm through the Doug Ford Holdings corporation.{{sfn|McDonald|2012|p=43}}<ref name="lorinc-gm">{{cite news |newspaper=The Globe and Mail |last=Lorinc |first=John |title=Ford's unique approach to campaign financing: Borrow from family firm |date=April 6, 2011 |url=http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toronto/fords-unique-approach-to-campaign-financing-borrow-from-family-firm/article578922/ |accessdate=December 10, 2012}}</ref> Ford, along with his brothers and his mother are directors of the company.<ref name="lorinc-gm"/> Ford resides in Etobicoke with his wife Renata and their daughter Stephanie and son Doug.<ref name="FordCityOfToronto">{{cite web |url=http://www.toronto.ca/mayor_ford/index.htm |title=Toronto mayor, Rob Ford |accessdate=May 8, 2012 |publisher=City of Toronto }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |newspaper=Toronto Sun |last=Wormington |first=Joe |url=http://www.torontosun.com/2013/06/17/mayor-rob-fords-wife-on-the-media-i-kind-of-feel-sorry-for-them |title=Mayor Rob Ford's wife on the media: 'I kind of feel sorry for them' |date=June 17, 2013 |accessdate=June 19, 2013}}</ref>

Ford Sr. became a [[Member of Provincial Parliament (Ontario)|Member of the Ontario Legislature]] during the term of the [[Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario|Progressive Conservative]] (PC) government of [[Mike Harris]].<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.thestar.com/Obituary/AtoG/article/108295 |newspaper=Toronto Star | first=John | last=Goddard | title=Doug Ford, 73: Athlete, business leader, MPP | date=October 19, 2006}}</ref> After Ford Sr.'s death, Rob has maintained political connections with the provincial PC party and the federal [[Conservative Party (Canada)|Conservative Parties]]. A picture of former Ontario Premier [[Mike Harris]] with Ford's father adorns the mayor's office. Ford describes his father as his "political hero, my business hero, he's my hero overall."{{sfn|McDonald|2012|pp=42-43}} Ford has worked on the election campaigns of several PC candidates, including [[John Tory]] in a 2005 by-election.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=The Globe and Mail |location=Toronto, Ontario |title=City councillors past, present, turn out to help Tory get elected |date=March 18, 2005 |page=A11}}</ref>

Ford has had various health issues, including asthma and kidney stones. <!-- Height/weight needs citation: His weight of 330+ pounds and height of 5' 10" provides a BMI of 47.1, placing him very high in the morbidly obese category: "With a BMI of 40+ you have an extremely high risk of weight-related disease and premature death. Indeed, you may have already been suffering from a weight-related condition." http://www.tools4all.net/BMI-Calculator#.UXrWNqKL3To --> He was hospitalized twice in 2012, once for kidney stones <ref>{{cite news |url=http://m.theglobeandmail.com/news/toronto/rob-ford-back-home-after-kidney-stone-procedure/article565973/?service=mobile |newspaper=The Globe and Mail |location=Toronto, ON |title=Rob Ford back home after kidney stone procedure}}</ref> and once for stomach and throat “irritation” that aggravated his asthma.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=Toronto Star |url=http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2012/08/08/toronto_mayor_rob_ford_hospitalized_as_a_result_of_stomach_and_throat_irritation.html |title=Toronto Mayor Rob Ford hospitalized as a result of stomach and throat 'irritation'}}</ref>

==Political career==

===City councillor===
Ford served three terms as city councillor from 2000 until October 2010, representing the ward of Ward 2 Etobicoke North. During his term as councillor, Ford was a strong critic of councillors' spending.<ref name="city-20070424">{{cite news |title = Councillor Blames Politicians' Perks For Your Tax Hike |work=City News |location=Toronto, Ontario |date=April 24, 2007 |url= http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_10235.aspx}}</ref><ref name="tgm-2003-10-03"/> Ford was known for his controversial comments and passionate arguments at Council.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=The Globe and Mail |title=Rob Ford and a decade of controversy |url=http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toronto/rob-ford-and-a-decade-of-controversy/article4330595/ |date=August 19, 2010 |accessdate=May 22, 2013 |last=Mahoney |first=Jill}}</ref>

Ford first ran for [[Toronto City Council]] in [[Toronto municipal election, 1997|1997]], placing fourth to [[Gloria Lindsay Luby]] in Ward 3 Kingsway-Humber. Ford ran for councillor in in Ward 2 Etobicoke North in the following election in [[Toronto municipal election, 2000|2000]], getting the endorsement of the [[Toronto Star]].<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=Toronto Star |title=Our recommendations for Toronto council |date=November 5, 2000 |page=A16}}</ref> 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".<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=Toronto Star |title=Etobicoke full of upsets ; Elsewhere, Lastman loses key supporters; convicted candidate's comeback bid fails |page=E03 |last1=DeMara |first1=Bruce |last2=Moloney |first2=Paul |last3=Rankin |first3=Jim}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.toronto.ca/wards2000/ward2.htm |publisher=City of Toronto |title=Ward 2 Etobicoke North Profile |accessdate=December 11, 2012}}</ref> It is also known as an area that has seen gang violence, including six murders in 2000.<ref>{{cite news |work=The Globe and Mail |location=Toronto |date=December 21, 2000 |title=City far from a violence-free haven |page=A25 |last=Freeze |first=Colin}}</ref> 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,<ref name="tor-2003-results"/> defeating two candidates from the local Somali community.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=The Globe and Mail |location=Toronto, Ontario |title=The ugly truth about the ethnic vote |last=Barber |first=John |page=M2 |date=November 8, 2003}}</ref> In the [[Toronto municipal election, 2006|2006 election]], Ford won again, this time with 66% of the vote.<ref>{{cite news |last=Grant |first=Kelly |date=March 25, 2010 |title=Right-winger Ford really a social liberal, brother says |newspaper=The Globe and Mail |location=Toronto |page=A12}}</ref>

It was during the 2001 budget deliberations that Ford made a reputation for passionate speeches. The City was facing a several hundred million budget shortfall, enough to require a 32% tax increase, after services were downloaded from the Government of Ontario. Mayor Mel Lastman was pleading with other governments for financial assistance. According to Don Wanagas, ''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."<ref name="gm-wanagas-2001-03-10">{{cite news |newspaper=National Post |title=The odd rantings of young Rob Ford |date=March 10, 2001 |page=F2 |last=Wanagas |first=Don}}</ref> Councillor Anne Johnston proposed giving Ford a "neo-con award of the day", while Councillor Joe Pantalone advised Ford to take Prozac.<ref name="gm-wanagas-2001-03-10"/> Ford argued against spending money on the [[Luminous Veil|suicide prevention barrier]] on the [[Prince Edward Viaduct|Bloor Viaduct]] bridge, and spending it instead on rounding up child molesters "who are the main cause of people jumping off bridges."<ref name="gm-wanagas-2001-03-10"/>

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."<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=The Globe and Mail |location= Toronto |title=Council considers service hit list |date=February 2, 2001 |page=A16 |last=Abbate |first=Gay}}</ref> Ford was one of only four councillors who voted against a 5% increase in property taxes for 2001.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=The Globe and Mail |location=Toronto |title=Budget contains 5% tax hike |date=May 2, 2001 |last=Rusk |first=James |page=A16}}</ref> 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."<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=The Globe and Mail |location=Toronto, Ontario |title=Councillors' office costs vary widely |last=Lewington |first=Jennifer |date=March 15, 2003 |page=A18 }}</ref>

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."<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=The Globe and Mail |location=Toronto, Ontario |title=Name-calling warps debate on budget |last=Abbate |first=Gay |date=March 7, 2002 |page=A20 }}</ref> 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."<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=The Globe and Mail |location= Toronto |title=Inside Toronto |date=March 7, 2002 |page=A21 |last=Barber |first=John }}</ref>

In the [[Toronto municipal election, 2003|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 life-long 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."<ref name="tgm-2003-10-03">{{cite news |work=The Globe and Mail |location=Toronto |title=Lonely city councillor seeks right-minded companions |date=October 3, 2003 |page=A22}}</ref> Ford targetted [[Brian Ashton (politician)|Brian Ashton]], [[Maria Augimeri]], [[Sandra Bussin]], [[Olivia Chow]], [[Pam McConnell]], [[Howard Moscoe]]<ref>{{cite news |work=The Globe and Mail |location=Toronto |date=November 19, 2004 |title=Inside City Hall: Rats, foiled again |page=A17}}</ref> and [[Sherene Shaw]].<ref name="tgm-2003-10-03"/> Shaw did go down in defeat to Ford's future budget chief [[Michael Del Grande]],<ref name="tor-2003-results">{{cite web |url=http://www.toronto.ca/vote2003/results/textlist.htm |publisher=City of Toronto |title=Toronto Vote 2003 election results}}</ref> while the rest were re-elected.<ref name="tor-2003-results"/>

Ford made a priority of responding to local constituents' problems, often returning calls himself or meeting with city staff to resolve problems.<ref name="gm-2004-07-23">{{cite news |newspaper=The Globe and Mail |title=Inside City Hall: Whose constituent is it, councillors want to know |date=July 23, 2004 |page=A12}}</ref> 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.<ref name="gm-2005-03-25">{{cite news |newspaper=The Globe and Mail |title=Inside City Hall: Laurels for pothole pols |date=March 25, 2005 |page=A8}}</ref> His zeal in attending to constituents' problems became a competitive rivalry with fellow councillors [[Howard Moscoe]] and [[Gloria Lindsay Luby]].<ref name="gm-2004-07-23"/><ref name="gm-2005-03-25"/> Ford gave out his personal phone number to constituents, a practice he continued as mayor.

In June 2006 Ford came under fire for making a controversial remark during a Council meeting. During the meeting Ford spoke out against the city donating $1.5 million to help prevent [[AIDS]]. Ford argued that most tax payers should not be concerned with AIDS because "If you are not doing needles and you are not gay, you wouldn't get AIDS probably, that's bottom line...those are the facts."<ref name="city-2006">{{cite news |date=June 29, 2006 |title=Councillor Rob Ford Under Fire Over AIDS Comments|url=http://www.citytv.com/toronto/citynews/news/local/article/17952 |work=[[CityNews]] |location=Toronto, Ontario |accessdate=December 8, 2012}}</ref> After then Mayor David Miller pointed out that women are the largest growing demographic of people contracting AIDS, Ford responded that it must mean 'they are sleeping with [[bi-sexual]] men'.<ref name="city-2006"/> 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.<ref>{{cite news|date=May 11, 2010|title=Councillor Rob Ford Under Fire Over AIDS Comments|url=http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/torontomayoralrace/article/807604--rob-ford-apologizes-for-2006-aids-comment|publisher=Toronto Star |accessdate=December 8, 2012}}</ref>

On March 7, 2007, Ford made controversial comments about cyclists' use of the roads, saying, "What I compare bike lanes to is swimming with the sharks. Sooner or later you're going to get bitten... Roads are built for buses, cars, and trucks, not for people on bikes. My heart bleeds for them when I hear someone gets killed, but it’s their own fault at the end of the day."<ref name="bicycling.com">{{cite web |url=http://bicycling.com/blogs/thehub/2012/05/03/toronto-mayor-cyclists-are-a-pain-in-the-ass |title=Toronto Mayor: ‘Cyclists Are a Pain in the Ass’ |publisher=Bicycling.com |date=May 3, 2012 |accessdate=May 12, 2012}}</ref> On May 25, 2009, Ford said, "It's no secret, okay. The cyclists are a pain in the ass to the motorists."<ref name="bicycling.com"/> As councillor, Ford opposed the installation of bike lanes on [[University Avenue (Toronto)|University Avenue]] and [[Jarvis Street]] and during his election campaign proposed spending money on off-road cycle paths.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=The Globe and Mail |title= Rob Ford could become a champion of cycling |date=September 10, 2012 |last=Gee |first=Marcus}}</ref> Although lanes were installed on Jarvis in 2010, Ford made it a priority to get them removed, and as mayor, was able to get council to reverse the decision in 2011, a move which was criticized by cycling advocates and led to protests.<ref name="spurr-nowtoronto">{{cite web |url=http://www.nowtoronto.com/news/story.cfm?content=184958 |title= Separate lanes at last |last=Spurr |first=Ben |date= |publisher=Now |location=Toronto, Ontario}}</ref> Councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong proposed an alternate plan to install physically separated bike lanes on [[Sherbourne Street, Toronto|Sherbourne Street]] instead and the Jarvis lanes were removed after the completion of the Sherbourne lanes. While 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" while still regretting 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." <ref name="spurr-nowtoronto"/>

At a council meeting on March 5, 2008, Ford said, "Those Oriental people work like dogs. They work their hearts out. They are workers non-stop. They sleep beside their machines. That's why they're successful in life. I went to Seoul, South Korea, I went to Taipei, Taiwan. I went to Tokyo, Japan. That's why these people are so hard workers (sic). I'm telling you, the Oriental people, they're slowly taking over."<ref name="city-asian">{{cite news|title=Asian Protestors Stage City Hall Sit-In Over Rob Ford's 'Oriental' Comments|url=http://www.citytv.com/toronto/citynews/news/local/article/21463--asian-protestors-stage-city-hall-sit-in-over-rob-ford-s-oriental-comments |work=CityTV |location=Toronto, Ontario |date=March 14, 2008}}</ref> The comments led to a sit-in at City Hall.<ref name="city-asian"/> Ford later apologized for using the term "orientals", but stood by his remarks, claiming that they were meant as a positive assessment of their work ethic.

===Toronto mayoral election===
{{Main|Toronto mayoral election, 2010}}
[[File:Parkview Hills Community Association Mayoral Debate.jpg|thumb|[[Rocco Rossi]] and Rob Ford at the Parkview Hills Community Association Mayoral Debate.]]
Ford declared his candidacy for [[Mayor of Toronto]] in the [[Toronto municipal election, 2010|2010 election]] on March 26, 2010. Councillor [[Mike Del Grande]] endorsed Ford: "He’s very popular with ‘Joe Public.’ He’s definitely a contender, not a wild card."<ref>{{cite news |first=Royson |last=James |title=Rob Ford proves popular at mayoral campaign launch |newspaper=Toronto Star |date=March 29, 2010 |url=http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/torontomayoralrace/article/787241--james-rob-ford-proves-popular-at-mayoral-campaign-launch}}</ref> At the campaign kickoff meeting, Ford laid out his platform, organized into four main themes: "putting people and families first, focusing on the fundamentals, reducing waste and eliminating unnecessary taxes." Among his campaign promises, he said that he would repeal the vehicle registration and land transfer taxes implemented during the term of mayor [[David Miller (Canadian politician)|David Miller]], and make the [[Toronto Transit Commission]] (TTC) an essential service. During his campaign, he promised voters that "services will not be cut, guaranteed". While in office, he qualified this statement to no major service reductions, and called none of his changes cuts.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.thestar.com/news/torontocouncil/article/1028550--i-will-assure-you-that-services-will-not-be-cut-guaranteed |newspaper=Toronto Star | first=David | last=Rider | title=‘I will assure you that services will not be cut, guaranteed' | date=July 22, 2011}}</ref>

During the campaign, Ford criticized the awarding of a sole-sourced contract to operate the Boardwalk Pub on Lake Shore Boulevard. The 20-year contract, awarded in 2006, gave the pub the right to be the sole provider of food and drinks to the public beach areas. Ford told the ''Toronto Sun'' editorial board in 2010 that the contract was "corrupt" and "stinks to high heaven." The comments led to the owner/operator of the pub, George Foulidis, to file a $6 million defamation law suit against Ford, claiming that Ford made "false and defamatory comments" about him. The suit went to trial on November 13, 2012.<ref>{{cite news |work=680 News |last=Stall |first=John |title=Mayor Ford's $6M libel trial starts Tuesday |url=http://www.680news.com/news/local/article/421390--mayor-ford-s-6m-libel-trial-starts-tuesday |date=November 13, 2012 |accessdate=November 13, 2012}}</ref> Ford himself testified how he was describing the process was corrupt and that his words had been sensationalized by the ''Toronto Sun'' to sell papers.<ref>{{cite news |work=680 News |location=Toronto, Ontario |author=680News Staff |url=http://www.680news.com/news/local/article/423275--closing-arguments-wrap-up-in-ford-defamation-lawsuit?ref=topic&name=city-hall&title=Toronto+City+Hall |title=Closing arguments wrap up in Ford defamation lawsuit |date=November 21, 2012 |accessdate=November 23, 2012}}</ref> The suit was dismissed in December 2012.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=Toronto Star |url=http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/1307634--libel-lawsuit-against-mayor-ford-dismissed |title=Rob Ford libel trial: Judge dismissed $6M lawsuit against Toronto Mayor |date=December 27, 2012 |last=Dale |first=Daniel}}</ref><ref>{{cite CanLII|litigants=Foulidis v. Ford|link=|year=2012|court=onsc|num=7189|format=|pinpoint=|parallelcite=|date=December 27, 2012|courtname=auto|juris=}}</ref>

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. Ford's 11% margin of victory was the largest for any incoming mayor in post-amalgamation history, roughly double that of [[Mel Lastman]] in 1997 and David Miller in 2003.<ref name="eyeweekly.com">{{cite news |url=http://www.eyeweekly.com/city/mayoral%20race%202010/article/105012--a-matter-of-respect-how-rob-ford-swept-into-city-hall |title=A matter of respect: how Rob Ford swept into City Hall |newspaper=Eye Weekly |location=Toronto, Ontario |date=October 26, 2010 |accessdate=March 19, 2011}}</ref> 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 also received 80,000 votes from the "Downtown 13" wards, or 20% of his total votes.<ref name="network.nationalpost.com">{{cite news |work=National Post |url=http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/toronto/archive/2009/12/14/rocco-rossi-jumps-into-mayoralty-race-with-pledge-to-sell-toronto-hydro.aspx |title=Rocco Rossi jumps into mayoralty race with pledge to sell Toronto Hydro |date=December 14, 2009}}</ref>

===Mayor===
[[File:Rob Ford Trinity Bellwoods Park Toronto 2010.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Ford at a Toronto Maple Leafs practice in Trinity Bellwoods Park, 2010.]]
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,{{sfn|McDonald|2012|p=46}} Mark Towhey, who had drafted his campaign platform, as his policy advisor.{{sfn|McDonald|2012|p=48}} and Adrienne Batra, his communications advisor, as press secretary.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=Winnipeg Free Press |title=Be afraid, Toronto |last=Kives |first=Bartley |url=http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/Be-afraid-Toronto-106404258.html |date=October 31, 2010 |accessdate=December 11, 2012}}</ref> Councillor [[Doug Holyday]], who had helped elect Doug Ford Sr., was named deputy mayor.{{sfn|McDonald|2012|p=45}} 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, known for his audacious suits, wore a pink suit and 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 "I’m wearing pinko for all the pinkos out there that ride bicycles and everything, I thought I’d get it in."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thestar.com/news/article/902903 |title=Don Cherry rips ‘left-wing pinkos’ at council inaugural |work=Toronto Star |first=David |last=Rider |date=December 7, 2010 |accessdate=June 12, 2011}}</ref>

During his term as mayor, Ford has been involved in several publicized incidents while driving, including reading while driving on the [[Gardiner Expressway]],<ref name="ctv-aug2112"/> and talking on his cell phone while driving.<ref name="ctv-aug2112"/> In another driving incident, Ford passed the rear door of a streetcar, while the front door was open, leading to "an exchange of words with the streetcar operator."<ref name="ctv-aug2112"/> As mayor, Ford is entitled to a personal driver and car paid for by the city, but Ford turned down the benefit and drives himself. Ford turned it down on the grounds that he did not want taxpayers to pay for the extra cost.<ref name="ctv-aug2112">{{cite news |work=CTV News |location=Toronto, Ontario |url=http://toronto.ctvnews.ca/mayor-ford-rejects-notion-of-hiring-driver-1.923614 |title=Mayor Ford rejects notion of hiring driver |last=Coutts |first=Matthew |date=August}}</ref> "A million people a day go to work in the city and they drive. They drive themselves. I don't see why I am any different."<ref name="ctv-aug2112"/> Similarly, while a councillor, Ford had disagreed with the city giving councillors free [[Toronto Transit Commission|TTC]] passes and fought for the eventual repeal of the perk on the same basis.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=Toronto Star |title=Councillors ordered to return free transit passes |url=http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/torontocouncil/article/803247--councillors-ordered-to-return-free-transit-passes |date=April 30, 2010 |last=Rider |first=David}}</ref> After the August 2012 incident of reading while driving, Ford was criticized by the media, other mayors<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=Niagara Falls Review |url=http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/2012/08/14/reading-and-driving-arent-part-of-the-job-local-mayors |title=Reading and driving aren't part of the job: Local mayors |date=August 14, 2012 |last=Law |first=John}}</ref> and safety advocates<ref>{{cite news |work=CBC News |title=Safety advocates say mayor, drivers must keep eyes on road |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2012/08/15/toronto-mayor-ford-driving-picture-road-safety.html |date=August 15, 2012 }}</ref> and the Toronto Police urged Ford to hire a driver.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=The Globe and Mail |location=Toronto, Ontario |url= |title=Police urge Ford to hire driver after mayor caught reading while driving }}</ref> His brother Doug promised that Rob would get a driver, but it would be an existing staff member.<ref>{{cite news |work=CTV News |url=http://toronto.ctvnews.ca/toronto-mayor-will-get-driver-doug-ford-says-1.917169 |title=Toronto mayor will get driver, Doug Ford says |date=August 16, 2012}}</ref> Ford later announced that he would continue to refuse a driver.<ref>{{cite news |work=680 News |title=Rob Ford refuses driver despite numerous calls to get one |url=http://www.680news.com/news/local/article/393933--rob-ford-refuses-driver-despite-numerous-calls-to-get-one?ref=topic&name=city-hall&title=Toronto+City+Hall |location=Toronto, Ontario |date=August 21, 2012}}</ref>

Mayor Ford was the focus of further controversy when, according to a report in the ''Toronto Star'', he personally asked city officials to approve drainage and road repairs outside the Deco Labels and Tags headquarters building before its 50th anniversary party in August 2012. Critics such as Councillor Adam Vaughan stated "This is a clear-cut example of using one’s office to gain preferential treatment for private interests."<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=Toronto Star |url=http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/cityhallpolitics/article/1259753--mayor-rob-ford-made-repair-request-at-family-firm-city-said-he-didn-t |title=Mayor Rob Ford made repair request at family firm, though city officially originally said he didn’t |date=September 20, 2012 |last=Dale |first=Daniel}}</ref> Ford stated that he had made thousands of such requests on behalf of homeowners and other businesses. "Someone has a pothole in front of their house, in front of their business, I go out and fix it. Just like I did for our company."<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=Toronto Star |url=http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/1260638--mayor-rob-ford-defends-push-for-deco-road-repairs-ignores-football-questions |title=Mayor Rob Ford defends push for Deco road repairs, ignores football questions |date=September 21, 2012 |first=Daniel |last=Dale }}</ref>

The Ombudsman for the City of Toronto, Fiona Crean, published a report in September 2012 suggesting that Mayor Ford's office had “compromised” the civic appointments process for city boards and agencies.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=City of Toronto |url=http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2012/cc/bgrd/backgroundfile-50533.pdf |format=pdf |title=An Investigation into the Administration of the Public Appointments Policy |last=Crean |first=Fiona |accessdate=December 8, 2012 |page=5 }}</ref> The report was discussed at Council and Ford refused to discuss the report at Council, instead responding on a radio talk show. "When people are just going to make up stories about you, why are you even going to try to defend yourself when you know it’s just a bunch of malarkey so obviously this is politically driven and I disagree with it."<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=Toronto Star |url=http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/1277057--mayor-rob-ford-s-civic-appointments-list-found-during-document-search |title=Mayor Rob Ford’s preferred appointees list found at last |last=Rider |first=David |date=October 25, 2012}}</ref> The Ombudsman and the existence of the position itself were later criticized by Ford and became the subject of further debate. In October, Mayor Ford said he wanted to eliminate three watchdog positions: that of the Ombudsman, the Integrity Commissioner and the lobbyist registrar. "You don’t need a lobbyist registry, an ombudsman and an integrity commissioner. They have 20 people; they’re tripping over themselves. They’re trying to make themselves look busy. I’ve never voted in favour of it and never would." All three positions are required under Ontario law and were established after the [[Toronto Computer Leasing Inquiry|MFP computer leasing scandal inquiry]].<ref>{{cite news|work=Toronto Star |url=http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/cityhallpolitics/article/1277651--mayor-rob-ford-wants-to-eliminate-city-watchdog-offices |first1=Daniel |last1=Dale |first2=David |last2=Rider |title=Mayor Rob Ford wants to eliminate city watchdog offices}}</ref>

====Budgets====
At its first meeting in December 2010, 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.<ref>{{cite news |work=680News |url=http://www.680news.com/news/local/article/163876--ford-ends-personal-vehicle-tax |title=Ford ends personal vehicle tax |date=January 1, 2011 |accessdate=April 17, 2012 |last=Pom |first=Cindy}}</ref> For the first budget, which was for 2011, the budget was balanced with no tax increases and no significant changes. The budget used a surplus from 2010 and reserve funds to avoid raising taxes. A planned TTC hike was cancelled after Ford objected to it.<ref>{{cite news |work=680 News |title=Proposed 10 cent TTC fare hike cancelled |url=http://www.680news.com/city-hall/article/167912--proposed-10-cent-ttc-fare-hike-cancelled |date=January 11, 2011 |accessdate=May 11, 2012 |last=D'Mello |first=Colin }}</ref>

Prior to the 2012 budget, the Ford administration initiated a consultant review of the services provided by the city. The study included public consultation websites and public 'town hall' meetings. Participants were asked to group services as 'necessary', 'nice to have', etc. and how to expect to pay for them. Ford himself suggested that the city get out of running the several venues it owns, including the [[Sony Centre for the Performing Arts|Sony Centre]], selling off the [[Toronto Zoo]] and closing other zoos run by the City of Toronto. Ford's team promoted a figure of over $700 million as the projected shortfall with no new taxes or cuts made. The budget as proposed by Ford included cuts to various services, including environmental programs, libraries, parks and recreation, and social services, while increasing property tax by 2%, TTC fares and user fees, including those of sports teams of city facilities. In Ford's election campaign, Ford had promised to make savings at City Hall without cuts to services. Two public meetings held at City Hall turned into overnight marathons with hundreds of citizens, labour groups and special interest groups protesting the various cuts. The budget was revised at council to restore over $18 million of spending and send the administration of the Toronto Zoo and the venues for further study. Three smaller zoos were given deadlines of June 2012 to find other funding or close. Later in 2012, the increases in sports teams' user fees was postponed until 2013. In April 2012, it was found that the city was running a surplus of nearly $270 million for 2011, attributed to greater-than-expected land transfer tax revenues and cost-cutting at City Hall.<ref>{{cite news |work=National Post |location=Toronto |title=Real estate boom brings Toronto budget surplus as high as $270-million |date=April 30, 2012 |url=http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/04/30/real-estate-boom-brings-toronto-budget-surplus-as-high-as-270-million/ |accessdate=May 11, 2012 |last=Hopper |first=Tristin}}</ref> In October 2012, Toronto Council voted to cancel plans to get expressions of interest from potential buyers of the Toronto Zoo.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=Toronto Star |title=Toronto council nixes bid to sell Toronto zoo |url=http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/cityhallpolitics/article/1267139--toronto-council-nixes-bid-to-sell-toronto-zoo |last=Moloney |first=Paul |date=October 4, 2012 |accessdate=December 11, 2012}}</ref>

In 2013, the city budget increased to $9.4 billion for operating expenses and $2.27 billion for capital projects. Unlike previous years, the budget did not use prior-year surplus monies to balance the budget; individual departmental budgets were reduced by $187 million and projected revenues increased by $251 million. The 2012 year-end surplus was used for TTC vehicle purchases and other projects not already budgeted for. As in previous years, taxes increased, including an increase of 2.0% on property taxes, 0.67% on business taxes and a 5 cents per trip increase to TTC fares.<ref name="2013-budget">{{cite press release |title=City Council approves 2013 Operating Budget and 2013 - 2022 Capital Budget and Plan |url=http://www.toronto.ca/budget2013/pdf/newsrelease_council.pdf |type=pdf |date=January 16, 2013 |accessdate=April 16, 2013 |publisher=City of Toronto}}</ref> Ford supported the budget produced by the Council budget committee, stating that "this budget improves services, lowers our debt, keeps taxes affordable and is based on sustainable spending."<ref name="2013-budget"/> At the Council meeting to approve the budget, Ford surprised other members of the executive committee by first voting to freeze taxes, before supporting the 2% increase as proposed.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=Toronto Sun |url=http://www.torontosun.com/2013/01/15/budget-showdown-expected-at-toronto-council |title=Mayor Rob Ford votes against his own budget |last=Peat |first=Don |date=January 15, 2013 |accessdate=April 16, 2013}}</ref>

====Labour relations====
As part of Ford's campaign promise to "end the gravy train", the administration spent time on consideration of staffing levels at the city. In 2011, the budget committee of council passed several recommendations to cut staff through layoffs and buyouts. In July 2011, the city offered buyout packages to 17,000 staff, depending on department approval, hoping to cut staff by 2,500 voluntarily.<ref>{{cite news |work=Toronto Star |title=James: We may not recognize post-Rob Ford Toronto |date=July 16, 2011 |last=James |first=Royson}}</ref> At the end of the period, over 1,000 Toronto staff accepted buyouts. In October 2011, council also voted 26–16 to 'contract out' garbage collection west of Yonge Street to a private contractor.<ref>{{cite news |work=Toronto Observer |url=http://www.torontoobserver.ca/2011/10/25/garbage-deal-might-be-too-good-to-be-true-opponents-say/ |title=Garbage deal might be ‘too good to be true’, opponents say |date=October 25, 2011 |first=Natasha |last=Jaferi |accessdate=May 16, 2012}}</ref>

In 2012, several of the city's contracts expired with their unionized staff: inside workers, outside workers, part-time parks and recreation staff, paramedics and library staff. Ford and deputy mayor [[Doug Holyday]] put the unions on notice that the unions should expect tough negotiations. The first union to settle was the outside workers, represented by the [[Canadian Union of Public Employees]] (CUPE) Local 416. Negotiations with the outside workers went to the deadline and a deal was made averting a strike or lockout. One major change was the controversial "jobs for life" clause in the bargaining agreement which stated that all permanent employees with 10 years of service or more were guaranteed a job of equal pay for equal value if theirs was contracted out. CUPE accepted a change to 15 years of service under the same provision. During the 2012 bargaining sessions, Holyday refused to allow the union to employ delaying tactics to drag out the talks until the summer, as they had in 2009 and previous years, by negotiating early and threatening to unilaterally impose the city's offer.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toronto/mayor-scores-a-big-win-just-when-it-counts/article544177/ |last=Gee |first=Marcus |title=Mayor scores a big win just when it counts|date=February 5, 2012 |newspaper=The Globe and Mail |location=Toronto}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.torontosun.com/2012/02/05/levy-union-bullies-yield-to-city |last=Levy |first=Sue-Ann |title=Union bullies yield to city |newspaper=Toronto Sun |date=February 5, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.thestar.com/article/1126777--mayor-rob-ford-puts-other-city-unions-on-notice|title=Mayor Rob Ford puts other city unions on notice |date=February 5, 2012 |newspaper=Toronto Star |last=Rider |first=David |accessdate=December 10, 2012}}</ref>

In other contract negotiations, the paramedics were named as an 'essential service' in the outside workers deal, which meant that the paramedics could not go on strike in the future, and contract negotiations would go to arbitration. This provoked a threatened split from CUPE, but the paramedics eventually voted to accept. The inside workers settled with the city without any strike. The part-time parks and recreation staff initially rejected their first offer, but accepted a revised city offer. The library workers' union went on strike in February and a settlement was made one week later with the city.

====Transit policy====
In the mayoral campaign, Ford proposed to make the TTC an "essential service". Under Ontario law, an essential service designation bars its workers from striking as part of the collective bargaining process, and disputes during collective bargaining are handled under binding arbitration. Toronto City Council approved the designation of the TTC in January 2011. The Government of Ontario introduced the ''The Toronto Transit Commission Labour Disputes Resolution Act'' in February 2011<ref>{{cite news |work=CTV News |location=Toronto, Ontario |url=http://toronto.ctvnews.ca/ontario-introduces-ttc-essential-service-bill-1.610828 |title=Ontario introduces TTC essential service bill |date= February 22, 2011 |accessdate=December 8, 2012}}</ref> and it became law in March 2011.<ref>{{cite news |work=CBC News |location=Toronto, Ontario |title=TTC essential service legislation passes |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2011/03/30/ttc-essential-service682.html |date=March 30, 2011 |accessdate=December 8, 2012}}</ref>

Another of Ford's campaign pledges was to halt the [[Transit City]] transit plan.<ref>{{cite news |work=680News |title=Ford takes reins at Toronto City Hall, vows to kill transit project |url=http://www.680news.com/news/national/article/151395--ford-takes-reins-at-toronto-city-hall-vows-to-kill-transit-project |date=December 1, 2010 |accessdate=May 7, 2012 |last=Babbage |first=Maria}}</ref> Instead of the surface [[light rail]] transit (LRT) lines of Transit City, Ford proposed to build underground lines. After being elected, Ford negotiated a Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Ontario and the City of Toronto for the [[Metrolinx]] provincial transit agency to build the [[Crosstown LRT]] entirely underground while the City of Toronto would build an extension for the [[Sheppard line|Sheppard subway line]] using its own funds, private funding agreements and any monies remaining from commitments from Ontario and the Government of Canada. Metrolinx subsequently put a stop to the construction of the Sheppard light rail line, which was already started.<ref>{{cite news |title=Toronto must pay at least $49M to cancel LRT plan |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2011/03/31/toronto-lrt-penalties524.html |work=CBC News |accessdate=April 2, 2011 |date=April 1, 2011}}</ref>

The Memorandum of Understanding was to be ratified by Toronto City Council, but never was. Ford set up an agency to study funding of the subway project, under the direction of former councillor Gordon Chong.<ref>{{cite news |last=Alcoba |first=Natalie |title=Q&A: Digging into transit plan |url=http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/04/02/qa-digging-into-transit-plan/ |newspaper=National Post |date=April 2, 2011 |accessdate=April 2, 2011}}</ref> Chong proposed user fees, parking fees and/or road taxes, but these options were rejected by Ford. In 2012, Toronto City Council held a special meeting to overturn the Ford-Ontario plan and voted to put a section of the Crosstown above-ground, and use the savings to build a LRT line along Finch Avenue West. Council decided further to study whether to put a subway line between the [[Don Mills (TTC)|Don Mills subway station]] and [[Scarborough Town Centre]] or put an LRT line along Sheppard as far east as Morningside Avenue.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=Toronto Sun |last=Granatstein|first=Rob|title=Rob Ford's Sheppard hole: Granatstein|url=http://www.torontosun.com/comment/columnists/rob_granatstein/2011/04/01/17843306.html |accessdate=April 4, 2011}}</ref> The Council meeting, at the instigation of TTC chair [[Karen Stintz]], led to a special TTC management committee meeting where TTC general manager Gary Webster was fired.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thestar.com/news/cityhallpolitics/article/1133277--ttc-s-gary-webster-faces-axe |title=TTC’s Gary Webster faces axe |date=February 19, 2012|newspaper=Toronto Star |accessdate=February 19, 2012 |first1=Tess |last1=Kalinowski |first2=Paul |last2=Moloney }}</ref> Webster, against the wishes of Ford, had recommended that Council build the light rails as proposed in the Transit City plan.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1127975--special-transit-meeting-karen-stintz-readies-motion-to-put-lrt-on-finch-and-eglinton-and-strike-panel-to-study-options-on-sheppard|title=Special transit meeting: Mayor Rob Ford dismisses council’s vote against his subway plan |date=February 9, 2012 |newspaper=Toronto Star |accessdate=February 19, 2012}}</ref> Council then held a special meeting to depose the TTC committee, replacing the board members who fired Webster.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=The Globe and Mail |location=Toronto, Ontario |url=http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toronto/mayor-loses-as-ttc-board-restructured/article551600/ |title=Mayor loses as TTC board restructured |last=Church |first=Elizabeth |date=March 5, 2012 }}</ref>

The Sheppard panel returned in March 2012 with a recommendation to build the LRT option along Sheppard as originally proposed. Ford opposed the LRT but Council voted to approve the project. At the last minute, Ford's allies on council attempted to set up a parking lot fee to help fund the project, but Ford did not support the fee, and his allies could not sway the majority of council.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2012/03/22/toronto-transit-debate.html |work=CBC News |location=Toronto, Ontario | title=Mayor Rob Ford loses Toronto subway vote | date=March 22, 2012}}</ref> Ford stated after the vote that this would be an issue in the next municipal election and he would do what he could to prevent the LRT construction and start campaigning to overturn the decision. In April, Metrolinx approved a plan of construction on the LRT transit projects, projecting a completion in 2020.<ref>{{cite news |work=CTV News |location=Toronto, Ontario |title=Metrolinx approves construction on Toronto LRTs |url=http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20120424/metrolinx-lrt-constuction-plan-120325/20120425/?hub=TorontoNewHome |date=April 25, 2012 |accessdate=May 11, 2012 |publisher=ctvtoronto.ca}}</ref>

In 2013, Metrolinx began a study of user fees and taxes to fund future public transit improvements in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area. All area governments were asked for their input before a June 1 deadline for Metrolinx's final report to the Ontario government. Upon the election of new Ontario Premier [[Kathleen Wynne]], Ford announced his opposition to any of the fees: "If the province puts (tolls) through that’s up to them. I talked to Premier Wynne last week and told her adamantly I’m opposed to tolls…she said she has to look out for the whole province which I understand, but I said I don’t support tolls." In early April, Metrolinx issued a short list of 11 funding sources, including the four options supported by the Toronto Board of Trade: sales tax, payroll tax, parking space levy, gas tax.<ref>{{cite news |work=Torontoist |date=April 2, 2013 |title=Metrolinx Issues Short List of Transit Funding Tools |url=http://torontoist.com/2013/04/metrolinx-issues-short-list-of-transit-funding-tools/ |last=Dotan |first=Hamutal}}</ref> City of Toronto staff were commissioned to examine the short list and propose a list for City Council to consider and recommend to Metrolinx. The staff report, advocating the parking levy, sales tax and development fees, was delivered to Toronto City Council executive committee, the committee which Ford chairs, for deliberation and recommendation to City Council. Ford announced his opposition to any new fees and expressed a distrust of the Ontario government to implement any fees wisely.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=Metro |location=Toronto, ON |title=GTA mayors back new taxes for Big Move on transit |page=1 |date=April 18, 2013}}</ref> When the committee met, however, instead of making a recommendation, the committee voted 6–4 along with Ford to delay the report to Council until after May 28, which would be too late for Council to make any recommendations to Metrolinx. Ford's chief of staff commented that Ford and his team would make any new taxes an issue in the forthcoming 2014 election.<ref>{{cite news |work=National Post |location=Toronto, ON |title=Executive committee defers on transit vote after Rob Ford slams process as ‘backwards’ |url=http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/04/23/transit/ |date=April 23, 2013 |last=Alcoba |first=Natalie}}</ref> City Council removed the item from the Executive Committee's jurisdiction and the report was debated at Council. Council objected to most of the proposed taxes, but did not object to a sales tax and development fees directed for transit.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgendaItemHistory.do?item=2013.EX31.3 |title= May 7, 2013 - 9:30 AM - Meeting 33 - Complete |publisher=City of Toronto |date=May 9, 2013 |accessdate=May 22, 2013}}</ref>

====Media relations====
Ford's mayoralty campaign had seen a polarization of the media, and this continued on into his mayoralty. The ''[[Toronto Star]]'' newspaper and ''[[Now (newspaper)|NOW]]'' alternative newspaper continued their criticism of Ford.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=National Post |location=Toronto, ON |title= Kelly McParland: The Star’s war on Rob Ford is a deceitful vendetta based on journalistic hypocrisy |last=McParland |first=Kelly |url= http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2013/04/01/kelly-mcparland-the-stars-war-on-rob-ford-is-a-deceitful-vendetta-based-on-journalistic-hypocrisy/ }}</ref> The ''[[Toronto Sun]]'' newspaper<ref>{{cite news |work=Toronto Sun |title=Scarborough residents, not Ford, the real losers in transit vote |url=http://www.torontosun.com/2012/02/08/scarborough-residents-not-ford-the-real-losers-in-transit-vote |last=Warmington |first=Joe |date=February 8, 2012 |accessdate=May 7, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |work=Toronto Sun |url=http://www.torontosun.com/2012/05/04/the-truth-about-ford |title=The truth about Ford |last=Goldstein |first=Lorrie |date=May 5, 2012}}</ref> and ''[[CFMJ|Talk Radio 640]]'' radio station supported his causes.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.640toronto.com/Topics/JohnOakley/BlogEntry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10363187 |title=Hang Your Heads, Councillors |last=Oakley |first=John |date=March 23, 2012 |accessdate=May 7, 2012 |publisher=Talk Radio - AM640}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://burdreport.ca/?p=2298 |title=The price of democracy – having to listen |last=Burd |first=Ben |date=July 28, 2011 |accessdate=May 7, 2012 |publisher=The Burd Report}}</ref> Ford had announced his candidacy for mayor on Talk Radio 640 and gave Talk Radio 640 the first interview after his election.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=National Post |location=Toronto |title=New era imminent at City Hall |date=October 27, 2010 |url=http://news.nationalpost.com/2010/10/27/new-era-imminent-at-city-hall/ |last=Alcoba |first=Natalie |accessdate=May 11, 2012}}</ref>

Not long after his election, ''NOW'' published a fake nude photo of Ford on its cover, with a strategically placed fig leaf. The issue (''NOW'' is distributed as a free weekly) was initially removed from all locations at City Hall and later returned.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=NOW |location=Toronto |url=http://www.nowtoronto.com/daily/news/story.cfm?content=179961 |title=City hall tries to ban NOW Magazine |date=April 1, 2011 |accessdate=May 7, 2012}}</ref> While Ford did not ask for an apology, his supporters on council did, but ''NOW'' refused. The ''Toronto Star'' and Ford began an ongoing dispute. Several columnists regularly wrote critical articles of Ford.<ref>{{cite news |work=Toronto Star |last=James |first=Royson |url=http://www.thestar.com/news/article/942692--james-ford-s-public-transit-plan-isn-t-about-public-transit |title=James: Ford’s public transit plan isn’t about public transit |date=February 21, 2011 |accessdate=May 7, 2012}}</ref> In response, Ford refused to meet with ''Toronto Star'' reporters and in December 2011, the ''Toronto Star'' filed a complaint with the City of Toronto's integrity commissioner.<ref>{{cite news |work=Global News |url=http://www.globaltoronto.com/the+toronto+star+takes+feud+with+mayor+to+integrity+commissioner/6442533612/story.html |title=The Toronto Star takes feud with Mayor to integrity commissioner |date=December 1, 2011 |accessdate=May 7, 2012}}</ref>

Ford took a different approach from his predecessor Miller when dealing with the media. The doors to the mayor's office that had been symbolically open during the Miller era were shut. Adrienne Batra, his press secretary, kept Ford's meeting schedule secret except to freedom-of-information requests. After reporters asked if Ford had met with one of his campaign donors Vaughan developer Mario Cortellucci, Batra stopped including the names of Ford's meeting partners.{{sfn|McDonald|2012|p=46}} Batra later left the mayor's office to join the ''Toronto Sun''.

On October 24, 2011, Ford was confronted in the driveway of his home by [[Mary Walsh (actress)|Mary Walsh]], a cast member of the [[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|CBC]] satirical show ''[[This Hour Has 22 Minutes]]'', in costume as her character Marg Delahunty. Walsh has frequently conducted "ambush" interviews of Canadian politicians as this character, a housewife who dresses in an outfit inspired by ''[[Xena: Warrior Princess]]''.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cbc.ca/live/watch-the-best-of-marg-delahunty.html |title=WATCH: The Best of Marg Delahunty |last=Shanlin |first=Calum |publisher=CBC |date=April 25, 2012 |accessdate=May 7, 2012}}</ref> When Walsh and the CBC TV crew tried to interview Ford, Ford instead retreated into the house and called [[9-1-1|911]]. Ford called again a few minutes after the first call. In his second call to 911, Ford used obscenities. CBC News reported that Ford had sworn at the dispatchers, which Ford denied, although he admitted that he had used obscenities. "After being attacked in my driveway, I hope I can be excused for saying the f-word. I never called anyone any names. I apologize for expressing my frustration inappropriately."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20111027/toronto-mayor-rob-ford-911-accusations-111027/20111027 |title=Ford was 'frustrated' when he swore during 911 call &#124; CTV Toronto News |publisher=Toronto.ctv.ca |date=October 27, 2011 |accessdate=October 11, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2011/10/27/rob-ford-911-call.html | work=CBC News | title=Rob Ford denies calling 911 dispatcher names | date=October 27, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2011/10/27/rob-ford-911-statement.html | work=CBC News | title=Rob Ford statement regarding 911 call | date=October 27, 2011}}</ref> Walsh's segment was shown on television, along with a segment of her interviewing Ford's brother.

On February 26, 2012,<ref>{{cite web |publisher=CFRB |url=http://www.newstalk1010.com/shows/robford.aspx |title=The City with Mayor Rob Ford |accessdate=June 26, 2013}}</ref> Ford, along with his brother Doug, began the ''The City with Mayor Rob Ford & Councillor Doug Ford'', a weekly two-hour radio talk program Sundays on [[CFRB|Newstalk 1010]]. The Fords' show discusses current topics affecting the City of Toronto, with phone-in guests.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=CFRB |url=http://www.newstalk1010.com/shows/robford.aspx |title=The City with Mayor Rob Ford |accessdate=May 4, 2012}}</ref> In June 2013, it was revealed that Dave Price, Ford's director of operations and logistics, had frequently called the radio program without revealing his connection to the mayor or his brother. The Fords also gave no indication that they recognized the man who was calling in. In the calls, Price praised the mayor for such things as mentoring young people, while referring to former Toronto mayor [[David Miller (Canadian politician)|David Miller]] as "comrade Miller" and condemning Miller's implementation of Toronto's 5¢ bag fee as "fascism".<ref name="sun06252013">{{Cite news |author=Peat, Don |date=June 25, 2013 |title=Rob Ford staffer 'Dave' made calls to mayor's radio show |url=http://www.torontosun.com/2013/06/25/rob-ford-staffer-dave-made-calls-to-mayors-radio-show |publisher=[[Toronto Sun]] |deadurl=no |accessdate=June 25, 2013}}</ref> Ford suspended Price for a week without pay after Price made a call to ''Toronto Sun'' staff writer Don Peat to complain about the reporting of the story.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=Toronto Sun |date=June 26, 2013 |title=Mayor Rob Ford suspends staffer Dave Price over call to Toronto Sun |url=http://www.torontosun.com/2013/06/26/mayor-rob-ford-suspends-staffer-dave-price-over-call-to-toronto-sun |last=Peat |first=Don}}</ref>

In May 2012, when the [[Toronto Star]] was investigating a potential purchase of public lands bordering his home, ''Star'' reporter Daniel Dale and Ford had an incident. According to Ford, at 7:30 pm, a neighbour told him that someone was taking pictures of his home while standing on a cinder block on public property behind his house, while the property in question is on the side of his house. Ford confronted the reporter and yelled at him.<ref>{{cite news |work=Toronto Sun |last=Peats |first=Don |url=http://www.torontosun.com/2012/05/02/police-called-to-mayors-home-over-star-reporters-alleged-trespassing |title=Police called to mayor's home over Star reporter's alleged trespassing |date=May 2, 2012 |accessdate=May 4, 2012}}</ref> According to Dale, he was "cornered like a rat" by Ford, yelled for help, repeatedly asked Ford not to punch him, dropped his cell phone and digital recorder and ran, scared of Ford.<ref>{{cite news |work=Hamilton Spectator |last=Dale |first=Daniel |title=Daniel Dale: The Toronto Star reporter who became the story |url=http://www.thespec.com/news/article/717931--daniel-dale-the-toronto-star-reporter-who-became-the-story |date=May 4, 2012 |accessdate=May 4, 2012}}</ref> The next day, on Talk Radio 640, Ford stated that he would no longer meet with any City Hall reporters if Dale were present.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=National Post |location=Toronto |url=http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/05/04/star-suggests-ford-used-reporters-phone-after-confrontation-near-mayors-house/ |title=Star suggests Ford used reporter’s phone after confrontation near mayor’s house |last=Cross |first=Allison |date=May 4, 2012 |accessdate=May 4, 2012}}</ref> No charges were laid in the incident.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=National Post |location=Toronto |title=Police not laying charges over Rob Ford, Toronto Star reporter confrontation |date=May 9, 2012 |last=Alcoba |first=Natalie |url=http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/05/09/police-not-laying-charges-over-rob-ford-toronto-star-reporter-confronation/ |accessdate=May 11, 2012}}</ref>

In April 2013, Ford was hurt in the face after colliding with a television camera after exiting a meeting in a hurry.<ref>{{cite news |work=The Daily Mail |url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2310051/Ouch-thats-gotta-hurt-Toronto-Mayor-Rob-Ford-drops-F-bomb-walking-face-TV-news-camera.html?ito=feeds-newsxml |title=Ouch that's gotta hurt! Toronto Mayor Rob Ford drops the F-bomb after walking face first into a TV news camera |last=McCormack |first=David |date=April 17, 2013}}</ref> The video clip of the collision and Ford's subsequent swearing was shown on the ''[[Jimmy Kimmel Live!]]'' television program and was also widely available on the internet. A cartoon depiction mocking the incident was used in an advertisement by internet job site [[Workopolis]].<ref>{{cite web |publisher=canada.com |title=Workopolis ad mocks Rob Ford’s camera run-in |url=http://o.canada.com/2013/04/23/workopolis-rob-ford-ad/ |date=April 23, 2013 |accessdate=April 23, 2013}}</ref>

====Conflict of interest trial====
{{see also|Rob Ford conflict of interest trial}}
In August 2010, the City of Toronto's integrity commissioner ruled that then-Councillor Ford had not followed City Council's Code of Conduct by using official letterhead and other council resources in fund-raising letters for his football foundation. Ford had accepted $3,150 on behalf of the foundation and the commissioner indicated that Ford should pay back the money.<ref name="star-report">{{cite news |newspaper=Toronto Star |url=http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/1293190--mayor-rob-ford-guilty-kicked-from-office-but-can-run-again |title=Mayor Rob Ford guilty, kicked from office but can run again |date=November 26, 2012 |last=Rider |first=David}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |newspaper=Toronto Sun |title=Ford faces decision day |url=http://www.torontosun.com/2012/11/25/ford-faces-decision-day |last=Jenkins |first=Jonathon |date=November 26, 2012}}</ref> On August 25, 2010, the City Council discussed the integrity commissioner's report and voted 26–10 for Ford to return the money.<ref name="ctv-2010-08-25">{{cite news |work=CTV News |date=August 25, 2010 |title=Ford must repay disputed donations, council says |url=http://toronto.ctvnews.ca/ford-must-repay-disputed-donations-council-says-1.545794 |accessdate=November 26, 2012}}</ref> Following the meeting, Ford discussed the repayment with the donors. Several did not want repayment and Ford forwarded letters from several donors expressing their wishes to the integrity commissioner. By February 2012, Ford had not paid the amount and the matter was raised at a February 7, 2012 City Council meeting.

Ford spoke and voted at the February 7 meeting on as City Council voted "''[t]hat City Council rescind the previous decision made under Item CC52.1''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgendaItemHistory.do?item=2010.CC52.1 |title=Agenda Item History - 2010.CC52.1 |publisher=City of Toronto |date=August 25, 2010 |accessdate=November 30, 2012}}</ref> ''and direct that no further action be taken on this matter''", which carried by majority, 22 voting ''Yes'', 12 ''No'', with 11 absent.<ref name="star-report"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgendaItemHistory.do?item=2012.CC16.6 |title=Agenda Item History - 2012.CC16.6 |publisher=City of Toronto |date=February 6, 2012 |accessdate=November 30, 2012}}</ref> In March 2012, a complaint was filed by Paul Magder from Toronto alleging that Ford's actions at the February 2012 Council meeting had violated the Ontario ''Municipal Conflict of Interest Act'' (''MCIA'').<ref>{{cite news |work=canada.com |url=http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/11/26/rob-ford-out-as-toronto-mayor-over-conflict-of-interest-case/ |title=Rob Ford out as Toronto mayor over conflict of interest case |date=November 26, 2012 |accessdate=November 26, 2012 |last1=O'Toole |first=Meagan |last2=Alcoba |first2=Natalie}}</ref>

The lawsuit came to trial in Ontario Superior Court in September 2012. Ontario Superior Court Judge Hackland ruled that Ford had violated the ''MCIA'' and declared his seat vacant, the decision stayed to allow an appeal.<ref name="star-report"/> Ford appealed the decision and the Ontario Superior Court upheld Ford's appeal. The judges declared that the original judge had erred because the financial judgment was not under the ''City of Toronto Act'' or the Council ''Code of Conduct.'' Further, the sanction was beyond the authority of the City Council to enact.<ref>{{cite CanLII |litigants=Magder v. Ford |link= |year=2013|court=onscdc|num=263 |format=|pinpoint= |parallelcite=|date=January 25, 2013|courtname=auto |juris=}}</ref> Magder filed an appeal of the decision to the [[Supreme Court of Canada|Canadian Supreme Court]], but the Court declined to hear the appeal.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=Toronto Star |title=Rob Ford wins: Supreme Court of Canada rejects appeal request |date=June 20, 2013 |url=http://www.thestar.com/news/city_hall/2013/06/20/rob_ford_wins_supreme_court_of_canada_rejects_appeal_request.html |last=Dale |first=Daniel}}</ref>

===Allegations of substance abuse===
{{see also|Timeline of Rob Ford video scandal}}
During his mayoral campaign, a 1999 arrest of Ford in [[Miami]], [[Florida]] for [[driving under the influence]] (DUI) and marijuana possession became an election issue when the ''Toronto Star'' published details of the arrest. According to the statement recorded by the arresting officer, Ford was acting nervous, had bloodshot eyes and had "a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath". Ford threw his hands up in the air and told the police officer, "Go ahead, take me to jail."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.scribd.com/doc/36132032/Rob-Ford-Arrest-Report |title=Rob Ford Arrest Report |publisher=Scribd.com |date=August 19, 2010 |accessdate=March 19, 2011.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news| url = http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/849744--go-ahead-take-me-to-jail-ford-told-police?bn=1/ |title=‘Go ahead take me to jail,’ Ford told police |last=Dempsey |first=Amy |work=Toronto Star |date=August 19, 2010 |accessdate=August 19, 2010 }}</ref> When questioned by reporters about the incident, Ford initially denied the DUI charge, saying instead he was arrested because he "refused to give a breath sample".<ref>{{Cite news| url = http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2010/08/19/15075241.html |title='Go ahead, take me to jail': Ford during 1999 arrest |last=Lamberti |first=Rob |work=Toronto Sun |date=August 19, 2010 |accessdate=August 19, 2010 }}</ref> Ford later admitted the DUI conviction, but omitted the marijuana possession.<ref>{{Cite news| url = http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2010/08/18/15067206.html |title=Ford dodges pot bust in Florida |last=Jenkins |first=Jonathan |work=Toronto Sun |date=August 18, 2010 |accessdate=August 19, 2010 }}</ref> Ford later admitted to the marijuana possession, saying that the marijuana charge had "completely, totally slipped my mind" because the more serious issue during the arrest was the DUI charge.<ref>{{Cite news| url = http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/ford-forgot-marijuana-charge-remembers-breath-test-guilty-plea/article1678316/ |title=Ford forgot marijuana charge, confuses impaired driving charge |last=Grant |first=Kelly |newspaper=Globe and Mail |date=August 19, 2010 |accessdate=August 19, 2010 |location=Toronto, Ontario}}</ref>

On April 15, 2006, Ford (a sitting councillor at the time) attended a [[Toronto Maple Leafs]] hockey game at the [[Air Canada Centre]]. Visibly intoxicated and belligerent, he began to insult a couple seated behind him, who were visiting from out of town. Two security guards escorted Ford out of the building. When confronted about the episode three days later by a ''[[National Post]]'' reporter, Ford initially denied having been at the game. He later told the ''Toronto Star'': "This is unbelievable, I wasn't even at the game, so someone's trying to do a real hatchet job on me, let me tell you", but later on said: "I reflected on it last night, and talked to my family. I came forward and admitted it. That's all I can do. I mean, I'm not perfect," said Ford. "Being in politics, you're in the spotlight all the time. I made a mistake. I made a major mistake. I really regret it."<ref>{{cite news|date=May 3, 2006|title=Ford admits lying to media about drunken outburst|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2006/05/03/tor-ford060503.html|publisher=[[CBC News]] |location=Toronto, Ontario |accessdate=August 1, 2012}}</ref>

In March 2013, former mayoralty candidate [[Sarah Thomson (publisher)|Sarah Thomson]] accused Ford of touching her inappropriately and making inappropriate comments while posing for a picture together at a political function.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=Toronto Star |url=http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2013/03/08/rob_ford_sarah_thomson_accuses_toronto_mayor_of_inappropriate_touch_suggestive_remark.html |title=Rob Ford: Sarah Thomson wants apology after accusing Toronto mayor of inappropriate touch |date=March 8, 2013}}</ref> Thomson, in a later interview on radio, suggested that Ford was on [[cocaine]]: “I thought he was, yes, but I don’t know,” she said. “I went back and looked up, you know, what are the signs of cocaine use. I looked it up and you know sweaty, talking quickly, out of it, arrogant — all these things were on there. What I read on Google, I would think he’s either on that or some other substance … he was definitely out of it.”<ref name="sun-03-11">{{cite news |newspaper=Toronto Sun |title=Sarah Thomson: I thought Mayor Rob Ford was on cocaine |url=http://www.torontosun.com/2013/03/11/sarah-thomson-i-thought-mayor-rob-ford-was-on-cocaine |last=Peat |first=Don |date=March 11, 2013 |accessdate=May 17, 2013}}</ref> Ford responded on his radio show by saying that Thomson's story wasn't true and commented on Thomson: “In my personal opinion, I’ve always said I don’t know if she’s playing with a full deck from the first time I met her.”<ref name="sun-03-11"/>

Later in March, the ''Toronto Star'' reported that [[Paul Ainslie]], a member of the Toronto City Council executive committee, had asked Ford to leave a function two weeks prior to the Thomson event, due to Ford being intoxicated. The ''Toronto Star'' then published a front-page story accusing Ford of having a "drinking problem", which was an "open secret" at City Hall.<ref>{{cite news |work=CP24 (TV) |location=Toronto, ON |url=http://www.cp24.com/news/mayor-reportedly-asked-to-leave-charity-event-for-alleged-behaviour-1.1211589 |title=Mayor reportedly asked to leave charity event for alleged behaviour |date=March 26, 2013 |last=Fox |first=Chris}}</ref> In both cases, Ford or his chief of staff Mark Towhey denied the allegations. Ford said the ''Star'' story was an outright lie; he said "Let’s just wait until the election, and then we’ll see what happens ... It’s just lies, after lies and lies".<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=National Post |title=‘Pathological liars’: Mayor Rob Ford has furious outburst as he denies ‘intoxicated’ report, staff wants him in rehab |url=http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/03/26/doug-ford-absolutely-denies-report-that-mayor-rob-ford-has-a-drinking-problem-staff-wants-him-in-rehab/ |first1=Natalie |last1=Alcoba |first2=Josh |last2=Visser |date=March 26, 2013 |accessdate=April 22, 2013 |location=Toronto, ON}}</ref>

On May 16, 2013, American gossip website ''[[Gawker]]'' said it had been offered a video showing Ford apparently smoking crack cocaine.<ref name="thestar-051713">{{cite news |newspaper=Toronto Star |date=May 17, 2013 |title=Rob Ford in 'crack cocaine' video scandal |url=http://www.thestar.com/news/city_hall/2013/05/16/toronto_mayor_rob_ford_in_crack_cocaine_video_scandal.html|first1=Robyn|last1=Doolittle|first2=Kevin|last2=Donovan }}</ref> ''Gawker'' editor John Cook reported that he viewed the video and described that it features Ford holding a clear glass pipe in one hand and a lighter in the other. According to Cook, Ford subsequently lights the pipe and inhales.<ref name="Gawk1">{{cite news |first=John |last=Cook |title=For Sale: A Video of Toronto Mayor Rob Ford Smoking Crack Cocaine|url=http://gawker.com/for-sale-a-video-of-toronto-mayor-rob-ford-smoking-cra-507736569 |work= [[Gawker]] |location= |date=May 16, 2013| accessdate=May 27, 2013}}</ref><ref name="HP1">{{cite news |first= |last=staff |title=Gawker Editor John Cook Details What He Saw On Rob Ford Tape (VIDEO) |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/21/gawker-john-cook-rob-ford-tape_n_3314091.html |work= [[Huffington Post]] |location= |date=May 21, 2013| accessdate=May 27, 2013}}</ref> The next day, two ''Toronto Star'' reporters wrote that they had also viewed the clip, on a smartphone in the backseat of a car on May 3, and noted that they have "no way to verify the authenticity of the video" but that it "appears to clearly show Ford in a well-lit room" and "inhaling from what appears to be a glass crack pipe."<ref name="thestar-051713"/><ref>{{cite news|authors=Gee, Marcus and White, Patrick|date=May 31, 2013|url=http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toronto/the-rob-ford-saga-the-questions-and-the-video/article12300973/|title=The Rob Ford saga: The questions and the video|newspaper=[[The Globe and Mail]]|accessdate=June 7, 2013}}</ref> On May 17, Ford denied the allegations, calling them, "Absolutely not true."<ref name=CBCNewsMay17>{{cite news |work=CBC News |title=Toronto Mayor denies crack cocaine allegations |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2013/05/17/tor-rob-ford-crack-allegations.html |date=May 17, 2013}}</ref> Radio station NEWSTALK 1010 and the ''Toronto Sun'' reported that they also had been contacted about purchasing the video.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=CFRB 1010 |url=http://www.newstalk1010.com/News/localnews/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10545917 |title= WATCH: UPDATE: Ford calls unsubstantiated allegations of drug use 'ridiculous'}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |newspaper=The Globe and Mail |location=Toronto, ON |url=http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toronto/toronto-sun-editor-was-given-pitch-for-ford-video-but-declined/article12218301/#dashboard/follows/ |title=Toronto Sun editor was given pitch for Ford video, but declined |last=Houpt |first=Simon |date=May 28, 2013}}</ref> On May 23, ''Gawker'' posted that it had lost touch with the video owner.<ref name=GawkerMay23>{{cite news |work=Gawker |title=Rob Ford Crackstarter Update |url=http://gawker.com/rob-ford-crackstarter-update-509596078|date=May 23, 2013|first=John|last=Cook}}</ref> In the two weeks following the initial reports, Ford fired his chief of staff Mark Towhey and five members of his City Hall staff left to pursue other opportunities.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=National Post |url=http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/05/31/ford-office-scrambling-through-dozens-of-resumes-as-sixth-staffer-departs-amid-drug-video-controversy/ |title=Ford hires three 'movers and shakers' after sixth departure but yet again blanks video questions |last=Visser |first=Josh |date=May 31, 2013}}</ref> On June 13, 2013, [[CTV News]] reported that, according to police sources, the police had been aware of the alleged video for weeks before the Gawker report.<ref name=GlobeAndMail2013-06-13a>
{{cite news
| url = http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toronto/police-learned-of-alleged-rob-ford-crack-video-during-year-long-gang-probe/article12548178/
| title = Police learned of alleged Rob Ford crack video during year-long gang probe
| publisher = [[Globe and Mail]]
| author = Greg McArthur, Ann Hui, Patrick White, Shannon Kari
| date = June 13, 2013
| accessdate = June 14, 2013
| trans_title =
| archivedate =
| archiveurl =
| deadurl = No
| quote = Toronto police learned of an alleged video that appears to show Mayor Rob Ford smoking crack-cocaine as part of a year-long investigation into drugs and gangs, The Globe and Mail has learned.
}}
</ref><ref name=OttawaCitizen2013-06-13>
{{cite news
| url = http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Toronto+Police+knew+alleged+Ford+crack+video+Report/8521410/story.html
| title = Toronto Police knew of alleged Rob Ford crack video: Report
| publisher = [[Ottawa Citizen]]
| author = Lauren Strapagiel
| date = June 13, 2013
| accessdate = June 14, 2013
| archivedate =
| archiveurl =
| deadurl = No
| quote = Toronto Police have known about an alleged video of Ford using a crack pipe since weeks before the story broke on Gawker and in the Toronto Star, reports CTV News.
}}
</ref><ref name=TorontoStar2013-06-13>
{{cite news
| url = http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2013/06/13/mayor_rob_ford_says_he_knows_little_of_police_raids.html
| title = Mayor Rob Ford says he knows little of police raids
| publisher = [[Toronto Star]]
| author = David Rider, Paul Moloney
| date = June 13, 2013
| accessdate = June 14, 2013
| archivedate =
| archiveurl =
| deadurl = No
| quote = Shortly after Blair’s news conference, CTV reported that Toronto police using surveillance techniques were aware of a video allegedly showing Ford smoking crack cocaine weeks before the Star and Gawker.com publicly revealed its existence in mid-May. CTV said a “highly placed source” confirmed that “persons of interest discussed that video in detail, and referred to the mayor's alleged presence in the video.”
}}
</ref><ref name=GlobeAndMail2013-06-13b>
{{cite news
| url = http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toronto/police-chief-blair-says-gangs-crimes-go-far-beyond-toronto-neighbourhood/article12521638/
| title = Toronto police aware of alleged Rob Ford crack video prior to media reports
| publisher = [[Globe and Mail]]
| author = Greg McArthur, Jill Mahoney
| date = June 13, 2013
| accessdate = June 14, 2013
| archivedate =
| archiveurl =
| deadurl = No
| quote = Toronto police became aware of an alleged video that appeared to capture Toronto Mayor Rob Ford smoking crack cocaine during the force’s sweeping investigation into a network of accused drug dealers and gun runners – before the alleged video was revealed in the media, The Globe and Mail has learned.
}}
</ref>

In August 2013, Ford was recorded on video at the ''Taste of the Danforth'' festival by other festival goers. He was described as slurring his words and being "wasted" as he walked through the festival area alone talking to other visitors. City staff and police later arrived to assist Ford. The video was posted on social media and festival goers commented on social media about Ford's condition.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=Toronto Sun |title=Rob Ford's Taste of the Danforth appearance sets social media abuzz |date=August 10, 2013 |url=http://www.torontosun.com/2013/08/10/rob-fords-taste-of-the-danforth-appearance-sets-social-media-abuzz |last=Davidson |first=Terry}}</ref> The next day, councillor [[Jaye Robinson]] repeated her call for Ford to take a leave of absence. Ford responded to criticism by admitting to "having a few beers". His brother Doug and Deputy Mayor Doug Holyday stated that the incident was blown out of proportion.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=Toronto Star |url=http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2013/08/12/mayor_rob_ford_urged_to_take_leave_after_taste_of_the_danforth_incident.html |title=Mayor Rob Ford urged to take leave after Taste of the Danforth incident |last1=Rider |first1=David |last2=Dale |first2=Daniel |date=August 12, 2013}}</ref> Later that month, Ford was asked if he had ever smoked [[marijuana]]. Ford said "I won’t deny that, I smoked a lot of it."<ref>{{cite news
|newspaper=National Post
|url=http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/08/28/toronto-mayor-rob-ford-says-hes-smoked-a-lot-of-marijuana-while-ontario-premier-says-she-did-35-years-ago/
|title=Toronto Mayor Rob Ford says he’s smoked ‘a lot of’ marijuana, while Ontario premier says she did 35 years ago
|date=August 13, 2013
|last1=Visser |first1=Josh
|last2=Alcoba |first2=Natalie
}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em|refs=
<ref name="sun-ford-legacy">{{cite news |newspaper=Toronto Sun |url=http://www.torontosun.com/2013/05/25/unforgettable-legacy |title=Mayor Rob Ford's unforgettable legacy |last=Peat |first=Don |date=May 25, 2013}}</ref>}}

===Further reading===
* {{cite book|last=Keenan|first=Edward|title=Some Great Idea: Good Neighbourhoods, Crazy Politics and the Invention of Toronto|year=2013|publisher=Coach House Books|location=Toronto|isbn=9781552452660}}
* {{cite journal |journal=Toronto Life |title=The Incredible Shrinking Mayor |last=McDonald |first=Marci |issue=May 2012 |year=2012 |pages=pp. 40–54 |ref=harv}}
*{{cite book|last=Tossel|first=Ivor|title=The Gift of Ford|year=2012|publisher=Random House|location=Toronto|isbn=9780345812575}}
* {{cite book |author=The Unknown Torontonian |title=The little book of Rob Ford |publisher=House of Anansi Press Inc. |year=2011 |location=Toronto, ON |isbn=978-1-77089-007-7}}
* {{cite web |title=The agony of Rob Ford |publisher=CBC |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/interactives/agony-of-ford/ |author=CBC staff |accessdate=June 14, 2013}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.toronto.ca/mayor_ford/index.htm Rob Ford profile on City of Toronto website]

<div class="NavFrame" style="clear:both; border:0;">

{{GTA Mayors}}
{{TorMayors}}
{{Toronto City Councillors}}</div>

{{Authority control|VIAF=7723156}}

{{Persondata
| NAME =Ford, Rob
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION =
| DATE OF BIRTH =1969-05-28
| PLACE OF BIRTH =Toronto, Ontario
| DATE OF DEATH =
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ford, Rob}}
[[Category:1969 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Mayors of Toronto]]
[[Category:People from Etobicoke]]
[[Category:Toronto city councillors]]

Revision as of 01:41, 28 September 2013

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rob_Ford&oldid=574815397"