Rob Ford emerged from rehab Monday, June 30, and vowed to make a stronger commitment to sobriety. Toronto’s 64th and current mayor has four months left in his term, and some people plugged into the political scene feel he should spend the majority of his time in office apologizing to the people he has hurt and embarrassed over the years. Ford has attracted negative attention over the years, including public drunkenness at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, at the Garrison Ball event and at a Toronto Maple Leafs hockey game during his stint as a city councilor.
Ford took heavy criticism before his speech on Monday for restricting access to media for his announcement. He went straight to rehab on May 1 after a video surfaced of Ford allegedly smoking crack cocaine. Representatives of the Globe and Mail said a drug dealer submitted the video to them.
As if that piece of scandalous history were not bad enough, the Toronto Sun released audio of Ford making anti-gay remarks and using an ethnic slur at about the same time. In November 2013, Ford admitted that he had smoked crack cocaine, but claimed that he did not lie about it.
“Yes, I have smoked crack cocaine but, am I an addict? No,” Ford said. “I wasn’t lying about it. You didn’t ask the correct questions.”
John Tory, one of Ford’s rival candidates, was neither convinced nor moved by Ford’s speech on Monday, claiming he “massively embarrassed” the city. He recommends that Ford resigns.
“His refusal to answer questions today is further indication that he doesn’t get it as yet,” Tory said.
Ford has made it clear that he intends to beat back his addictions while functioning to his fullest as mayor of Toronto.
“I am absolutely determined to make myself the best person I can be for my family, for the people of Toronto,” Ford said. “With your support, I am also resolved to continue to work harder than ever for the taxpayers of this great city. “
Ford is on the ballot when Toronto votes on Oct. 27 and hopes to be reelected for a second term.
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