Written by Erik Reed. Media by Michael Courtney.
[clear]
In Toronto, Ontario, Canada, mayor Rob Ford is in deep water after he not only admitted that he was drunk in public, not only that he admitted to using crack cocaine, but he admitted buying crack in the last two years on Wednesday, November 13, 2013. In a vote 41-2, the Toronto city council has symbolically called for him to resign, but Ford refused, saying: “I’m most definitely keeping this job… I am not leaving here.” He adamantly plans to run for re-election in 2014.
In an apparent cell phone video, an intoxicated Ford appears to threaten an unknown person and the video appears to have been filmed over the summer. Of the video, Ford commented: “It’s extremely embarrassing and I don’t know what to say. I hope none of you have ever or will ever be in that state. The whole world is going to see it.” The mayor’s mother, Diane Ford, has said that her son’s behavior was “not acceptable”, but he has done good things for Toronto.
Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne said that Rob Ford’s dilemma is “truly disturbing”. On Thursday, November 14, 2013, at a press conference with his wife Renata at his side, Ford apologized again, told reporters that he was receiving help and advice from health-care professionals and was taking accountability for his actions. The allegations do not end there: Ford has been accused with being with a blonde-haired woman whom critics say is a prostitute. Ford denied the allegations.
The embattled mayor also made crude sexual remarks, including statements made that he was happily married and enjoyed plenty of oral sex at home. Councilor Janet Davis called Ford “stubborn” and “pigheaded.” Davis also commented by saying that “he seems to have no self-awareness, no moral character. It is stunning.”
Ford’s powers for the last 11 months of his position was severely limited by an overwhelming majority by the Toronto city council, which includes hiring and firing deputy mayor and executive committee members and his authority will be lost in emergencies.
